US3775271A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrolytic preparation of titanium and zirconium diborides using a molten, sodium salt electrolyte
Assignee: INTERIOR
•
Filing: 1972-12-18
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Granted: 1973-11-27
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Expires: 1992-12-18
Abstract
Abstract Titanium and zirconium diborides are electrolytically synthesized using a molten sodium salt electrolyte containing cryolite, a sodium alkali, a sodium borate, a sodium halide and a source compound to supply the titanium or zirconium. Substantial refining occurs during the synthesis allowing the use of rutile concentrates as a source of titanium and zircon concentrates as a source of zirconium. The synthesis may be accomplished in a cell open to the atmosphere to produce substantially pure titanium and zirconium diborides.
Inventors
- 👤 J Gomes
- 👤 K Uchida
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 13:15
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25B; C25B1/00; C01; C01B; C01B35/00; C01B35/02; C01B35/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the electrolyte temperature is maintained within the range of 900* to 1100* during electrolysis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 2 wherein the sodium alkali is chosen from the group consisting of sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, sodium oxide and mixtures thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process of claim 3 wherein the sodium borate is chosen from the group consisting of borax, sodium metaborate, sodium orthoborate, sodium diborate, sodium tetraborate, sodium pentaborate and mixtures thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 4 wherein the sodium halide is chosen from the group consisting of sodium chloride, sodium fluoride and mixtures of the two.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The process of claim 5 wherein the electrolyte temperature is maintained witHin the range of 1,000* to 1,050*C during electrolysis and wherein the cathode current density is maintained within the range of 10 to 250 amp/dm2 during the electrolysis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 6 wherein the metal compound comprises rutile concentrates and wherein the cathode deposit comprises titanium diboride.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The process of claim 7 wherein the atomic ratio of boron to titanium in the electrolyte is in the range of 12 to 20 and wherein the sodium halide is sodium chloride.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 6 wherein the metal compound comprises zircon concentrates and wherein the cathode deposit comprises zirconium diboride.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The process of claim 9 wherein the atomic ratio of boron to zirconium in the electrolyte is in the range of 6 to 12 and wherein the sodium halide is a mixture of sodium chloride and sodium fluoride.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-26 | 1977-05-28 | 1977-11-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-26 | 1981-05-28 | 1981-11-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-26 | 1985-05-28 | 1985-11-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |