ALUMINOTHERMIC REDUCTION OF TITANIUM-OXIDE

The aluminothermic reduction of titanium oxide was studied at 1973 K i n an atmosphere of argon and alumina crucible. The overall reaction, T iO2+4/3Al=Ti+2/3Al2O3, was finished within about 10 min. When the mola r ratio of aluminum to titanium oxide (X(Al)/X(TiO2)) was 4/3 (which c orresponds to the stoichiometric ratio), an alloy containing 5 mass% o xygen and 15 mass% aluminum was obtained. If the ratio was increased, aluminum content increased and oxygen decreased. For an intermetallic composition where 36 mass% of aluminum is necessary, oxygen content wa s 1.5 mass%. The possibility of reducing oxygen content was demonstrat ed by decreasing the activity of alumina in the slag.