THE PROBLEM OF TANTALUM AND NIOBIUM CODEPOSITION FROM MOLTEN-SALTS

Electrodeposition of niobium and tantalum from their complex anions in molten chloride-fluoride electrolytes has been studied. The tantalum concentration in the cathodic reaction products is strictly determined by the electrochemical deposition parameters because the difference o f the niobium and tantalum potentials in the electrolytes is relativel y small compared to the Nb-Al, Nb-Ti, Nb-Zr, Nb-W, and Nb-Mo cells. Lo w-tantalum cathodic niobium and Nb-Ta alloys with the desired composit ion can be obtained by varying temperature, cathodic current density, and Ni and Ta concentrations in the electrolyte.