Extractive Metallurgy of Tantalum

Abstract

This paper presents a brief review of extractive metallurgy of tantalum starting from processing of its ore to two pure intermediates K₂TaF₇ and Ta₂O₅ and their conversion to pure tantalum metal by various technically feasible processes. Though tantalum metal can be produced by several means only two processes – sodium reduction of K₂TaF₇ and fused salt electrolysis of K₂TaF₇ in the presence of oxide, have been successful on industrial scale. Besides providing salient features of these two processes, the paper presents brief accounts of studies carried out on the reduction of oxide by metallic reductants – calcium and aluminium as well as nonmetallic reductants – carbon and carbon–nitrogen. The crude metal obtained by various reduction techniques outlined are purified either by solid state pyrovacuum treatment or by melt refining in an electron beam furnace. Mechanism of refining processes taking place during these post reduction treatments are also included in the review.

Keywords::

• Tantalum
• Reduction
• Metallothermal
• Carbothermal
• Electrolysis
• Refining