Abstract: The mixture of metal and/or alloy particles and a liquid electrolytic medium has the property that the volume of the medium approximately corresponds to the spaces between the particles in a dry packing (for example, according to ASTM-B 212). This ensures a direct metallic contact between the particles.

Abstract: In the mixture of metal and/or alloy particles and a liquid electrolytic medium, the metal and/or alloy particles are irregularly shaped, have a non-uniform surface and a bulk density of below 33% by weight of the specific density of the compact metal and/or the compact alloy, and the volume of the medium is larger than that which corresponds to the spaces between the particles in a dry packing.

Abstract: The zinc powder for alkaline batteries having a residual lead content of less than 30 ppm, an indium content of from 10 to 10,000 ppm, and preferably from 100 to 1,000 ppm, a gallium content of from 0 to 1,000 ppm and a content of alkali and/or alkaline earth metals of up to 1,000 ppm additionally contains from 10 to 10,000 ppm, and preferably from 100 to 1,000 ppm, of bismuth.

Abstract: A zinc powder having a low gas evolution in an alkaline electrolyte for use in an alkaline battery are obtained by alloying the zinc with at least one metal selected from the group consisting of lead, cadmium, thallium and indium and at least one further metal selected from the group consisting of lead, cadmium, thallium, indium gold, silver, tin and gallium. Thereby it is possible to avoid the use of mercury as an alloying element but nevertheless to obtain a zinc powder which meet all of the requirements for use in alkaline batteries.

Abstract: Zinc powder containing mercury for alkaline batteries are prepared by reacting zinc powder with metallic mercury in the presence of amalgamation aids with agitation in a closed system, at a partial oxygen pressure of less than 100 mbar, while the volatile parts are continually exhausted, then raising the partial value of atmosphere air. Additional alloying elements can be added to reduce the gas development, by mixing zinc powder with metallic mercury in which is dissolved a part or the entire quantity of the required alloying elements.

Abstract: Potassium tantalum fluoride substantially free from compounds of silicon and niobium is prepared from a crude tantalum-niobium salt solution by use of aqueous hydrofluoric acid having a dissolved content of a silicon compound by mixing the salt solution with a water-insoluble organic solvent for said salts; extracting the organic phase with aqueous medium; mixing the organic phase with silicon-contaminated aqueous hydrofluoric acid; mixing the organic phase with a hot silicon-free solution of an ionizable potassium compound, and separating and cooling the aqueous phase thereby precipitating potassium tantalum fluoride. The phases are separated between steps.