US2046148A - Process for manufacturing beryllium alloys - Google Patents
Process for manufacturing beryllium alloys Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US2046148A US2046148A US732435A US73243534A US2046148A US 2046148 A US2046148 A US 2046148A US 732435 A US732435 A US 732435A US 73243534 A US73243534 A US 73243534A US 2046148 A US2046148 A US 2046148A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- beryllium
- alloy
- cathode
- copper
- alloys
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title description 22
- 229910000952 Be alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 title description 18
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 title description 4
- 229910045601 alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 37
- 239000000956 alloy Substances 0.000 description 37
- 229910052790 beryllium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 33
- ATBAMAFKBVZNFJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N beryllium atom Chemical compound [Be] ATBAMAFKBVZNFJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 31
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 27
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 27
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 description 19
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 description 19
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 17
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 description 17
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 description 17
- 238000005868 electrolysis reaction Methods 0.000 description 14
- 238000004070 electrodeposition Methods 0.000 description 10
- 230000005496 eutectics Effects 0.000 description 9
- 150000002739 metals Chemical class 0.000 description 9
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 8
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 5
- 230000007935 neutral effect Effects 0.000 description 5
- XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Iron Chemical compound [Fe] XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Nickel Chemical compound [Ni] PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- XWSCPZIYKQVRKD-UHFFFAOYSA-N azanium;beryllium;fluoride Chemical compound [Be].[NH4+].[F-] XWSCPZIYKQVRKD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 150000001573 beryllium compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 4
- 238000010924 continuous production Methods 0.000 description 4
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 3
- 230000004927 fusion Effects 0.000 description 3
- 150000003839 salts Chemical class 0.000 description 3
- XKRFYHLGVUSROY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Argon Chemical compound [Ar] XKRFYHLGVUSROY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Atomic nitrogen Chemical compound N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- FAPWRFPIFSIZLT-UHFFFAOYSA-M Sodium chloride Chemical compound [Na+].[Cl-] FAPWRFPIFSIZLT-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 2
- 239000003792 electrolyte Substances 0.000 description 2
- 150000002222 fluorine compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 229910001385 heavy metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 229910052742 iron Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 229910052759 nickel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 2
- DDFHBQSCUXNBSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 5-(5-carboxythiophen-2-yl)thiophene-2-carboxylic acid Chemical compound S1C(C(=O)O)=CC=C1C1=CC=C(C(O)=O)S1 DDFHBQSCUXNBSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- MPKOFYYBDWLBMD-UHFFFAOYSA-K Beryllium fluoride oxide Chemical compound [Be+2].[Be+2].[OH-].[F-].[F-] MPKOFYYBDWLBMD-UHFFFAOYSA-K 0.000 description 1
- PXGOKWXKJXAPGV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Fluorine Chemical compound FF PXGOKWXKJXAPGV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- -1 Na2BeF4 Chemical compound 0.000 description 1
- 238000009825 accumulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003513 alkali Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910001515 alkali metal fluoride Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910001618 alkaline earth metal fluoride Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000005275 alloying Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052786 argon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052614 beryl Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000356 contaminant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000151 deposition Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008021 deposition Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007772 electrode material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011737 fluorine Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052731 fluorine Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000001307 helium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052734 helium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- SWQJXJOGLNCZEY-UHFFFAOYSA-N helium atom Chemical compound [He] SWQJXJOGLNCZEY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000011261 inert gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008595 infiltration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001764 infiltration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011005 laboratory method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000155 melt Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052757 nitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000010079 rubber tapping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011780 sodium chloride Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25C—PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC PRODUCTION, RECOVERY OR REFINING OF METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25C3/00—Electrolytic production, recovery or refining of metals by electrolysis of melts
Definitions
- This invention relates to a method for the direct manufacture of alloys of beryllium, in particular those of beryllium with copper, nickel, and iron.
- electrolyte in the cell we may use any of those regularly in use for beryllium manufacture-Beck dissolved in NaCl, Na2BeF4, beryllium oxyfluoride dissolved in other fluorides, etc.; indeed, the process is essentially independent of the electrodeposition medium. The only requirement is that the bath (and, of course,
- the cathode be maintained at a temperature below the melting point of the cathode but above that at which the lowest melting point (860 C. with copper) eutectic of the particular alloy which that metal forms with beryllium on electrolysis, melts.
- the lowest melting point (860 C. with copper) eutectic of the particular alloy which that metal forms with beryllium on electrolysis melts.
- copper as an example, it is best to operate in the 9001000 C. range; in this range the deposition of beryllium on the solid copper causes surface alloying which immediately causes the corresponding amount of alloy to turn liquid because of its lower melting point; this liquid will liquate away from the electrode, baring new surfaces continuously. In this manner, and at this temperature range, a copper-beryllium alloyof about 2 to about 6% beryllium can readily be obtained.
- the newly-formed liquid alloy liquates away from the cathode of which it was just a part, it is brought to an electrically neutral-or primarily neutral-portion of the cell, so as to avoid counter-reactions. From this point (generally the bottom of the cell, away from both the cathode and the anode) the liquid alloy may readily be tapped away, either intermittently or, preferably, in continuous stream.
- the metal salt or salts of the bath should be more electropositive than beryllium.
- This may be conveniently done, for example, by placing a hood over the cell and introducing an inert gas such as argon or helium.
- the tapping may be done by a rod insertable through the hood, especially ii the pressure within the hood be kept slightly above atmospheric to avoid infiltration.
- Obviously-then may be a number of different ways in which the alloy may be tapped from the cell and kept out of contact with oxygen or nitrogen or other contaminant.
- a further advantage in adding the beryllium in the form of ammonium beryllium fluoride is that the proportion of 38F: in the bath can be raised above the point where anode effect objectionably sets in.
- the continuous process of producing an alloy o1 beryllium and another metal or metals which consists in substantially continuously introducing an electrolyzable compound of beryllium into an electrolytic cell having a cathode of such metal or metals, operating at a temperature below the melting point oi. the cathode but above the melting point of the eutectic of the alloy formed, and in substantially continuously withdrawing the alloy' produced.
- the continuous process of producing an alloy oi beryllium and another metal or metals which consists in substantially continuously introducing an electrolyzable compound of beryllium into an electrolytic cell having a cathode of such metal or metals, operating at a temperature below the melting point of the cathode but at which the alloy Iormed by the-electrodeposition of the beryllium on the cathode liquates away, collecting the liquated alloy in an electrically neutral portion 01. the cell, and substantially continuously withdrawing such alloy in an atmosphere inert to the beryllium or the alloys.
- the process of obtaining alloys of beryllium which includes the steps of adding ammonium beryllium fluoride to a fusion of the fluorides of one or more metals more electropositive than beryllium, subjecting the mixed fusion to electrolysis, using a cathode of the metal about to be
Landscapes
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Electrochemistry (AREA)
- Materials Engineering (AREA)
- Metallurgy (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Electrolytic Production Of Metals (AREA)
Description
Patented June 30, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PROCESS 'FOR MANUFACTURING BERYLLIUM ALLOYS notation of Delaware Application June 26, 1934,
No Drawing.
Serial No. 732,435
16 Claims.
This invention relates to a method for the direct manufacture of alloys of beryllium, in particular those of beryllium with copper, nickel, and iron.
Since the early work of Lebeau, in 1898, it has been known that the alloys of beryllium with copper and similar heavy metals have great value commercially, and more recent work has shown that the properties of such alloys are greatly enhanced by appropriate heat treatment. There has therefore been a great demand for such alloys, preponderant in the heavy metal, with beryllium content in the lower rangesseldom over The simple, laboratory method of alloy formation, direct fusion of the two metals, has been found, when transferred to a commercial scale, open to the objection that the losses are high and the cost of elementary beryllium metal is excessively high.
We have foundthat success can be attained readily if massive metal is used as a cathode electrode material; further, if this metal cathode is so suspended that any liquid alloy formed on its surface by the procedure of our invention can flow down readily away from the cathode into an electrically neutral area, operation can be made continuous, if desired.
In our invention, we suspend a massive cathode of the metal to be alloyed with beryllium in an electrolytic cell in which beryllium is being electrodeposited. As electrolyte in the cell, we may use any of those regularly in use for beryllium manufacture-Beck dissolved in NaCl, Na2BeF4, beryllium oxyfluoride dissolved in other fluorides, etc.; indeed, the process is essentially independent of the electrodeposition medium. The only requirement is that the bath (and, of course,
with it the cathode) be maintained at a temperature below the melting point of the cathode but above that at which the lowest melting point (860 C. with copper) eutectic of the particular alloy which that metal forms with beryllium on electrolysis, melts. In the case of copper, as an example, it is best to operate in the 9001000 C. range; in this range the deposition of beryllium on the solid copper causes surface alloying which immediately causes the corresponding amount of alloy to turn liquid because of its lower melting point; this liquid will liquate away from the electrode, baring new surfaces continuously. In this manner, and at this temperature range, a copper-beryllium alloyof about 2 to about 6% beryllium can readily be obtained.
For practical reasons, of course, it is best to have two or more anodes for the cathode, but this is not at all necessary to the invention, though helping in actual practice to cause regular, even attack on the cathode. Attack on the cathode proceeds, we have found, with both a BeClz or a NazBeFr bath, at a steady regular rate, a solid rod cathode merely tending to pencil as the electrolysis proceeds.
Naturally, as the newly-formed liquid alloy liquates away from the cathode of which it was just a part, it is brought to an electrically neutral-or primarily neutral-portion of the cell, so as to avoid counter-reactions. From this point (generally the bottom of the cell, away from both the cathode and the anode) the liquid alloy may readily be tapped away, either intermittently or, preferably, in continuous stream.
By combining this invention with that de scribed in a co-pending application of H. C. Claflin, Serial No. 732,436, wherein there is described, a process for the production of beryllium in elementary or alloy form by the addition of ammonium beryllium fluoride to an alkali or alkaline earth metal fluoride bath and electrolyzed, we have attained a very convenient and effective procedure for the continuous production of commercial copper-beryllium alloys the electrolyz able salt being fed in continuously or at sumciently frequent intervals, and the final alloy being also tapped off the cell continuously or at sufliciently frequent intervals.
In such procedure, there is nothing accumulating in the bath in that the fluorine and ammonium fluoride are evolved as gases and the beryllium tapped off in the alloy produced. Where the electrolyte is, for example, NazBeFr there is a gradual accumulation of NaF in the bath, so that continuous operation cannot be so simply and economically obtained. Here it is necessary to remove a portion of the bath from time to time which involves a. loss in values, and other objections. The periods of operation in such procedure must therefore be much shorter than possible when using ammonium beryllium fluoride, which may be months.
While copper has been used regularly as an example in the description given above, it can readily be seen that the process lends itself equally well to other metals with which beryllium alloysmost important commercially being iron and nickel.
In all cases, the metal salt or salts of the bath should be more electropositive than beryllium.
We also prefer to tap off the alloy from the cell in an atmosphere inert to beryllium or the alloy, flowing the same into molds. This may be conveniently done, for example, by placing a hood over the cell and introducing an inert gas such as argon or helium. In such case, the tapping may be done by a rod insertable through the hood, especially ii the pressure within the hood be kept slightly above atmospheric to avoid infiltration. Obviously-then; may be a number of different ways in which the alloy may be tapped from the cell and kept out of contact with oxygen or nitrogen or other contaminant.
A further advantage in adding the beryllium in the form of ammonium beryllium fluoride is that the proportion of 38F: in the bath can be raised above the point where anode effect objectionably sets in.
Having described our invention, we claim: 1. The process of forming alloys of beryllium characterized by the electrodeposition of beryllium on to an unmolten cathode of the second metal at a temperature below the melting point of that metal and above the melting point of "the alloy eutectic.
2. The process of forming copper-beryllium alloys characterized by the electrodeposition oi beryllium on to an unmolten copper cathode at a temperature below the melting point of copper and above the melting point of the copper-beryllium alloy eutectic.
3. The process of forming copper-beryllium alloys characterized by the electrolysis of electrolyzable beryllium compounds, using a cathode of massive copper, said electrolysis proceeding at a temperature between 860 C. and 1083 C. v
4. The process of forming alloys of beryllium characterized by the electrodeposition of beryllium eutectic, the resultant fluid alloy being removed to an electrically neutral point.
6. The process of forming copper-beryllium alloys characterized by the electrolysis of electrolyzable beryllium compounds, using a cathodeof' massive copper, said electrolysis proceeding at a temperature between 860 C. ,and 1083 C., the resultant fluid alloy being removed to an electrically neutral point.
7. The process of forming alloys of beryllium characterized by the electrodeposition of beryllium on to an unmolten cathode of the second metal at a. temperature below the melting point of that metal and above the melting point of the alloy eutectic, the resultant fluid alloy being'removed, as formed, from the electrolytic field of action.
8. The process of forming copper-beryllium alloys characterized by the electrodeposition of beryllium on to an unmolten copper cathode at a temperature below the. melting point of copper and above the melting point of the copper-beryllium eutectic, the resultant fluid alloy being-removed, as formed, from the electrolytic held of action.
9. The process of forming copper-beryllium alloyscharacterized by the electrolysis of electrolyzable beryllium compounds, using a cathode of massive copper, said electrolysis proceeding at a temperature between 860 C. and 1083 C., the resultant fluid alloy being removed, 155 formed, from the electrolytic fleld of action.
10. The process of forming alloys of beryllium characterized by the electrodeposition of beryllium on to an umnolten cathode of the second metal at a temperature below the melting point of that metal and above the melting point of the alloy eutectic, the resultant fluid alloy being removed, substantially as formed, from the electrolysis cell.
11. The process of forming copper beryllium alloys characterized by the electrodeposition oi' beryllium on to an unmolten copper cathode at a temperature below the melting oint of copper and above the melting point of the copper-beryllium alloy eutectic, the resultant fluid alloy being removed, substantially as formed, from the electrolysis cell.
12. The process of forming copper-beryllium alloys characterized by the electrolysis of electrolyzable beryllium compounds, using a cathode of massive copper,said electrolysis proceeding at a temperature between 860 C. and 1088" C., the resultant fluid alloy being removed, substantially as formed, from the electrolysis cell.
13. The continuous process of producing an alloy o1 beryllium and another metal or metals which consists in substantially continuously introducing an electrolyzable compound of beryllium into an electrolytic cell having a cathode of such metal or metals, operating at a temperature below the melting point oi. the cathode but above the melting point of the eutectic of the alloy formed, and in substantially continuously withdrawing the alloy' produced.
14. The continuous process of producing an alloy 'of beryllium and another metal or metals which consists in substantially continuously introducing an electrolyzable compound of beryl: lium into an electrolytic cell having a cathode of such metal or metals, operating at a temperature below the melting point oi. the cathode but at which the alloy formed by the electrodeposition of the beryllium on the cathode liquates away, collecting the liquated alloy in an electrically neutral portion of the cell, and substantially continuously withdrawing such alloy.
15. The continuous process of producing an alloy oi beryllium and another metal or metals which consists in substantially continuously introducing an electrolyzable compound of beryllium into an electrolytic cell having a cathode of such metal or metals, operating at a temperature below the melting point of the cathode but at which the alloy Iormed by the-electrodeposition of the beryllium on the cathode liquates away, collecting the liquated alloy in an electrically neutral portion 01. the cell, and substantially continuously withdrawing such alloy in an atmosphere inert to the beryllium or the alloys.
16. The process of obtaining alloys of beryllium which includes the steps of adding ammonium beryllium fluoride to a fusion of the fluorides of one or more metals more electropositive than beryllium, subjecting the mixed fusion to electrolysis, using a cathode of the metal about to be
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US732435A US2046148A (en) | 1934-06-26 | 1934-06-26 | Process for manufacturing beryllium alloys |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US732435A US2046148A (en) | 1934-06-26 | 1934-06-26 | Process for manufacturing beryllium alloys |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| US2046148A true US2046148A (en) | 1936-06-30 |
Family
ID=24943495
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| US732435A Expired - Lifetime US2046148A (en) | 1934-06-26 | 1934-06-26 | Process for manufacturing beryllium alloys |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US2046148A (en) |
-
1934
- 1934-06-26 US US732435A patent/US2046148A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
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