Electrolytic Reduction of Titanium Monoxide

An electrolytic method for preparation of titanium metal from titanium monoxide is described. The process is carried out in alkaline earth halide melts under an inert atmosphere. The inert atmosphere c ll and its operation are described. Methods for preparation of reduced titanium oxides are also discussed. These include reactions of t itanium carbide with ZnO or MgO, carbon reduction of TIP2, and electrolytic reduc-tion of TIP2. Electrolytic t itanium prepared from TiP is deposited as a crystalline metal powder in a salt matrix and is recovered by aqueous techniques. Although metal so prepared has not generally been acceptable from a purity standpoint, revision in cell design and procedure could offer improvement in this respect