New method for preparation of low oxygen Mo powder by reduction of MoO₃ using Ca

Abstract

A new method for the reduction of MoO₃ using Ca as a reducing agent was developed. A low oxygen Mo powder can thus be prepared by two-step reduction process: the first step reduction involves a contact type method while the second step reduction uses a non-contact type method involving Ca vapour followed by additional deoxidation. The oxygen concentration in the resultant Mo powder was ∼2800 ppm, which was much lower than that of commercial Mo powder (>4400 ppm).

Keywords:

• Molybdenum
• Powder
• Oxygen
• Reduction
• Deoxidation

Acknowledgement

This research was supported by the General Research Project of the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM) funded by the Ministry of Knowledge Economy of Korea.