Magnesium Refining with Refractory Metals
Magnesium is a highly useful lightweight metal that has no shortage of applications. It can be found in everyday objects such as cell phones and laptop computers, as well as in industrial processes and even in explosive compounds. As such, it is important to be able to produce and refine magnesium with the highest quality possible. One of the ways to produce high purity magnesium is through magnesium refining using refractory metals.
Refractory metals are metals that are difficult to work with and/or whose melting point is very high. In the case of magnesium, refractory metals are used to refine and purify the metal. This is done by melting down the impure magnesium with a refractory metal, such as titanium or zirconium, in a vacuum environment. By using this method, the impurities are removed and the final product is a much purer version of magnesium.
The first step in magnesium refining with refractory metals is to select and prepare the metals for melting. In general, titanium or zirconium are the preferred refractory metals for refining magnesium, however, other refractory metals such as titanium-aluminum-zirconium (TAZ) or molybdenum-magnesium-tantalum (MMT) can also be used. Depending on the particular process being used, the refractory metal may be melted in a furnace or in a vacuum.
The next step is to combine the magnesium and refractory metal in the melting vessel. This is done by carefully adding the correct proportions of each metal to the melting vessel, paying close attention to the temperature of the vessel to ensure that the metals will melt properly. Once the metals are combined, they are melted by increasing the temperature to the melting point of magnesium, typically around 1500°C.
Once the magnesium and the refractory metal are melted, the impurities present in the magnesium are removed. This is done by allowing the molten metals to separate from one another, with the impurities rising to the top of the liquid and settling into a layer. This separation process is made possible by the difference in density between the molten metals and the impurities. Once the impurities have been separated, the molten metal can be poured off and cooled, leaving a purified version of the magnesium.
When all of the steps above have been completed, the refined magnesium is ready to be used. Depending on its intended application, the purification process may need to be repeated in order to achieve a higher level of purity. In addition to refining magnesium with refractory metals, other processes can be used to further purify the metal, such as cold rolling, annealing, or electrolysis.
In conclusion, magnesium refining with refractory metals is an effective way to produce high purity magnesium. By following a set of steps and paying close attention to the melting temperature of the metals, the impurities can be removed and the refined metal can be used for a variety of applications.
