Abstract: A method and system for producing an alloy using a flowing stream of superheated halide vapor to flash vaporize liquid halides forming a mixture of gases in predetermined and controllable ratios. The mixture of gases are introduced into a flowing stream of liquid alkali or alkaline earth metal or mixtures to establish a reaction zone where the mixture of gases is reduced to an alloy and a salt. The liquid metal is in a sufficient amount in excess of stoichiometric to maintain substantially all the alloy and salt below the sintering temperatures thereof away from the reaction zone. Equipment for practicing the method is also disclosed. The system relates to alloys of B, Be, Bi, C, Fe, Ga, Ge, Hf, In, Mo, Nb, P, Pb, Re, S, Sb, Si, Sn, Ta, Ti, V, W and Zr.

Abstract: A titanium metal or a titanium alloy having submicron titanium boride substantially uniformly dispersed therein and a method of making same is disclosed. Ti power of Ti alloy powder has dispersed within the particles forming the powder titanium boride which is other than whisker-shaped or spherical substantially uniformly dispersed therein.

Abstract: A titanium metal or a titanium alloy having submicron titanium boride substantially uniformly dispersed therein and a method of making same is disclosed. Ti power of Ti alloy powder has dispersed within the particles forming the powder titanum boride which is other than whisker-shaped or spherical substantially uniformly dispersed therein.

Abstract: A method of increasing the apparent density of agglomerated ligmental titanium or titanium alloy powder produced by the subsurface reduction of titanium tetrachloride vapor or a mixture of titanium tetrachloride and other halide vapors in a flowing stream of alkali or alkaline earth metal or mixtures thereof having a first apparent density after distillation is disclosed. The agglomerated ligmental titanium or titanium alloy powder is introduced into an attriting system wherein the agglomerated ligmental titanium or titanium alloy powder is attrited until the powder becomes more spherical than ligmental and the first apparent density is increased by a factor of from about 3 to about 8. Inert atmosphere may be used to prevent unwanted oxygen contamination.

Abstract: A method of producing passivated Ti or Ti alloy particles with oxygen concentrations of less than about 900 parts per million (ppm), which includes introducing a halide vapor of Ti or the metal constituents of the alloy at sonic velocity or greater into a stream of liquid alkali or liquid alkaline earth metal or mixtures thereof forming a reaction zone in which the halide is reduced by the liquid metal present in sufficient excess of stoichiometric such that Ti or Ti alloy powder from the reduction of the halide by the liquid metal is friable. After filtration and distillation excess liquid metal is removed from the Ti or Ti alloy powder that is then maintained at elevated temperature for a time sufficient to grow the particles to average diameters calculated from BET surface area measurement greater than about one micron. After cooling the Ti or Ti alloy powder to temperature of about 80° C.

Abstract: A method of separating metal particulates from a slurry of original constituents of liquid metal and metal particulates and salt particulates is disclosed. The metal and salt particulates are concentrated by removing at least some of the liquid metal, and then, liquid metal or a liquid of the original salt constituent or a mixture thereof is passed through the particulates at a temperature greater than the melting point of the original salt constituent to further concentrate the metal particulates. The metal particulates are then separated from the remaining original constituents or a mixture of the salt constituent. Density differences between the liquid metal and salt are also used to facilitate separation.

Abstract: A system and method of separating metal powder from a slurry of liquid metal and metal powder and salt is disclosed in which the slurry is introduced into a first vessel operated in an inert environment when liquid metal is separated from the metal powder and salt leaving principally salt and metal powder substantially free of liquid metal. The salt and metal powder is transferred to a second vessel operated in an inert environment with both environments being protected from contamination. Then the salt and metal powder are treated to produce passivated powder substantially free of salt and liquid metal. The method is particularly applicable for use in the production of Ti and its alloys.

Abstract: A method and system for producing an alloy using a flowing stream of superheated halide vapor to flash vaporize liquid halides forming a mixture of gases in predetermined and controllable ratios. The mixture of gases are introduced into a flowing stream of liquid alkali or alkaline earth metal or mixtures to establish a reaction zone where the mixture of gases is reduced to an alloy and a salt. The liquid metal is in a sufficient amount in excess of stoichiometric to maintain substantially all the alloy and salt below the sintering temperatures thereof away from the reaction zone. Equipment for practicing the method is also disclosed. The system relates to alloys of B, Be, Bi, C, Fe, Ga, Ge, Hf, In, Mo, Nb, P, Pb, Re, S, Sb, Si, Sn, Ta, Ti, V, W and Zr.

Abstract: A method of producing passivated Ti or Ti alloy particles with oxygen concentrations of less than about 900 parts per million (ppm), which includes introducing a halide vapor of Ti or the metal constituents of the alloy at sonic velocity or greater into a stream of liquid alkali or liquid alkaline earth metal or mixtures thereof forming a reaction zone in which the halide is reduced by the liquid metal present in sufficient excess of stoichiometric such that Ti or Ti alloy powder from the reduction of the halide by the liquid metal is friable. After filtration and distillation excess liquid metal is removed from the Ti or Ti alloy powder that is then maintained at elevated temperature for a time sufficient to grow the particles to average diameters calculated from BET surface area measurement greater than about one micron. After cooling the Ti or Ti alloy powder to temperature of about 80° C.

Abstract: A process for preparing a layered composition has been developed. The composition comprises an inner core and an outer layer comprising a molecular sieve. The process involves providing a slurry comprising inner core particles and sources of the framework elements of the molecular sieve. To this slurry there are added nutrient(s), i.e. framework element sources thereby forming crystals of the molecular sieve which agglomerate onto the inner core. The process is carried out for a time sufficient to form a layer of desired thickness.

Abstract: A method of increasing the apparent density of agglomerated ligmental titanium or titanium alloy powder produced by the subsurface reduction of titanium tetrachloride vapor or a mixture of titanium tetrachloride and other halide vapors in a flowing stream of alkali or alkaline earth metal or mixtures thereof having a first apparent density after distillation is disclosed. The agglomerated ligmental titanium or titanium alloy powder is introduced into an attriting system wherein the agglomerated ligmental titanium or titanium alloy powder is attrited until the powder becomes more spherical than ligmental and the first apparent density is increased by a factor of from about 3 to about 8. Inert atmosphere may be used to prevent unwanted oxygen contamination.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for treating a slurry of liquid metal and solid particles is disclosed using various combinations of vacuum distillation and transfer with hot inert gas.

Abstract: A titanium metal or a titanium alloy having submicron titanium boride substantially uniformly dispersed therein and a method of making same is disclosed. Ti power of Ti alloy powder has dispersed within the particles forming the powder titanum boride which is other than whisker-shaped or spherical substantially uniformly dispersed therein.

Abstract: A titanium base alloy powder having lesser amounts of aluminum and vanadium with an alkali or alkaline earth metal being present in an amount of less than about 200 ppm. The alloy powder is neither spherical nor angular and flake shaped. 6/4 alloy is specifically disclosed having a packing fraction or tap density between 4 and 11%, as is a method for making the various alloys.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making alloys or ceramics by the subsurface injection of an equilibrium vapor of a boiling liquid of the ceramic or alloys constituents is disclosed. Various powders and products are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of separating metal particulates from a slurry of original constituents of liquid metal and metal particulates and salt particulates is disclosed. The metal and salt particulates are concentrated by removing at least some of the liquid metal, and then, liquid metal or a liquid of the original salt constituent or a mixture thereof is passed through the particulates at a temperature greater than the melting point of the original salt constituent to further concentrate the metal particulates. The metal particulates are then separated from the remaining original constituents or a mixture of the salt constituent. Density differences between the liquid metal and salt are also used to facilitate separation.

Abstract: A system and method of separating metal powder from a slurry of liquid metal and metal powder and salt is disclosed in which the slurry is introduced into a first vessel operated in an inert environment when liquid metal is separated from the metal powder and salt leaving principally salt and metal powder substantially free of liquid metal. The salt and metal powder is transferred to a second vessel operated in an inert enviroment with both enviroments being protected from contamination. Then the salt and metal powder substantially free of salt and liquid metal. The method is particularly applicable for use in the production of Ti and its alloys.

Abstract: A method of separating metal particulates form a slurry of liquid metal and metal particulates and salt particulates by filtering the slurry to form a cake of metal and salt particulates with some liquid metal. The cake is broken and liquid metal is removed by vacuum distillation or with a hot inert sweep gas at either positon or negative pressure from the broken cake, and thereafter separating the metal and salt particulates. Thereafter, the metal partucilates are sized before water washing to prevent unacceptable explosions upon contact with water.

Abstract: A transfer mechanism between a first vessel containing a slurry of liquid and solids and a second vessel with at least one of said first and second vessels being under a protective atmosphere and/or vacuum. There is a housing in communication with the first and second vessels with a screw having at least one helical thread along the longitudinal shank within the housing for transferring material between vessels. The slurry entering the housing from the first vessel has the solids therein concentrated as the slurry is transported toward the second vessel while liquid is expressed from the slurry until the concentrated solids form a plug isolating the two second vessels as solids discharge into the second vessel.

Abstract: A needle valve is disclosed for controlling the quantity of a halide vapor to be injected into a liquid metal. The needle valve may seat in a supersonic nozzle from which the halide vapor exits. Various products made with the apparatus of the invention are disclosed.