Electrochemical Near-Net-Shape Production via the FFC Cambridge Process - Dedication to the Special Session for the 2012 Max Bredig Award

摘要

The energy- and labour-intensive extraction processes, and thecomplex and expensive downstream processes for alloying andmanufacturing are the main causes for the high cost of engineeringcomponents. These are particularly true for reactive metals basedalloys, such as titanium alloys. This paper demonstrates thefeasibility of using the FFC Cambridge Process for near-net-shapeproduction of Ti-6Al-4V based engineering components indifferent shapes, including hollow sphere and miniature hollowgolf driver head, from their corresponding metal oxide precursors.A series of investigations were carried out in order to attain afundamental understanding of the relevant electrochemicalreduction mechanism in molten CaCl_2. Additive oxide was foundto assist the electro-reduction of TiO_2 by preventing in situformation of perovskites during electrolysis in molten CaCl_2.