Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a Mo-containing master alloy that is radiolucent. In accordance with the present invention, two elements may be used to reduce the density of a Mo-containing master alloy enough to make the master alloy radiolucent, aluminum or titanium. Aluminum is required in the particular titanium alloy in the same weight ratio as Mo and cannot be used to decrease the master alloy density without skewing the ratio. Since the master alloy is being added to a titanium melt, much more titanium can be used to reduce the master alloy density.

Abstract: The present invention relates to high-purity titanium monoxide powder (TiO) produced by a process of combining a mixture of titanium suboxides and titanium metal powder or granules; reacting the mixture at a temperature above about 1200° C.; and fragmenting the body to form TiO particles suitable for application as e.g., capacitors. The TiO product is unusually pure in composition and crystallography, highly dense, and can be used for capacitors and for other electronic applications. The method of production of the TiO is robust, does not require high-purity feedstock, and can reclaim value from waste streams associated with the processing of TiO electronic components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high-purity tantalum flake powder, produced by a hydride-dehydride process including: (a) cold working tantalum metal into a thin sheet; (b) hydriding the thin sheet, forming a brittle tantalum body, e.g., a foil or ribbon with an aspect ratio of greater than 5 to 1; (c) adjusting the tantalum body to a desired particle size; and (d) removing hydrogen from the tantalum body by vacuum sintering, forming a tantalum flake powder. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, tantalum flake is produced by sizing ultra-thin tantalum foil via the hydride-dehydride process. Tantalum is an extremely malleable metal and can be cold worked into extremely thin sheets less than 1 micron thick. Once hydrided, this foil is brittle, and can be easily sized by suitable milling processes. The hydrogen is removed by vacuum sintering, resulting in an extremely thin Ta metal flake.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high-purity tantalum flake powder, produced by a hydride-dehydride process including: (a) cold working tantalum metal into a thin sheet; (b) hydriding the thin sheet, forming a brittle tantalum foil; (c) adjusting the tantalum foil to a desired particle size; and (d) removing hydrogen from the tantalum foil by vacuum sintering, forming a tantalum flake powder. In accordance with the present invention, tantalum flake is produced by sizing ultra-thin tantalum foil via the hydride-dehydride process. Tantalum is an extremely malleable metal and can be cold worked into extremely thin sheets less than 1 micron thick. Once hydrided, this foil is brittle, and can be easily sized by suitable milling processes. The hydrogen is removed by vacuum sintering, resulting in an extremely thin Ta metal flake.

Abstract: The present invention relates to high-purity titanium monoxide powder (TiO) produced by a process of combining a mixture of titanium suboxides and titanium metal powder or granules; heating and reacting the compacted mixture under controlled atmosphere to achieve temperatures greater than about 1885° C., at which temperature the TiO is liquid; solidifying the liquid TiO to form a body of material; and fragmenting the body to form TiO particles suitable for application as e.g., capacitors. The TiO product is unusually pure in composition and crystallography, highly dense, and can be used for capacitors and for other electronic applications. The method of production of the TiO is robust, does not require high-purity feedstock, and can reclaim value from waste streams associated with the processing of TiO electronic components.