Effective Removal of Titanium from Tantalum Crucibles: Tips and Techniques

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the effective removal of titanium from tantalum crucibles, highlighting the challenges due to the solubility of both metals in certain acids. Participants mention that titanium is soluble in hydrofluoric and sulfuric acids, but caution that tantalum is also affected under similar conditions. Techniques such as heating the crucible upside down or using an energy source to induce titanium atom desorption are suggested, with an emphasis on the importance of vapor pressure over melting temperature. Ultimately, the consensus leans towards the necessity of acquiring a new crucible due to the difficulty in ensuring complete titanium removal.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of metal solubility in acids, specifically hydrofluoric and sulfuric acids.
  • Knowledge of vapor pressure concepts related to titanium and tantalum.
  • Familiarity with high-temperature processing techniques for metals.
  • Experience with crucible applications in high-temperature environments.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the solubility characteristics of titanium and tantalum in various acids.
  • Learn about vapor pressure and its implications for metal evaporation at high temperatures.
  • Investigate advanced techniques for metal desorption in crucible applications.
  • Explore options for sourcing high-quality tantalum crucibles for specific applications.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for materials scientists, metallurgists, and engineers involved in high-temperature processing and crucible applications, particularly those dealing with titanium and tantalum interactions.

12stCDB
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I'm trying to find a way to remove a non-negligable amount of titanium from a tantalum crucible. I've removed as much as possible with tweezers, but there is still a reasonable amount in the crucible. I know that titanium is soluble in certain acids (hydrofluoric, sulfuric), but it's my understanding that tantalum is generally soluble under the same conditions.

If anyone has experience with this and can advise me on removing the titanium without damaging the crucible, I would very much appreciate it.
 
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What is the crucible for?
Ti melting temp: 1941
Ta melting temp: 3290 K

heat it up a lot, upside down? or while under exposure to incident energy source to induce Ti atom desorption.
 
One issue is that the melting temperature isn't really the relevant quantity so much as the vapor pressure (correct me if I'm wrong). My understanding is that within the low growth pressure range tantalum should start to evaporate at temperature around 1800 C, while titanium should evaporate in the 1500-1600 C range.

I think this is going to be a waste of time in the end, since there's no way of knowing whether or not all of the titanium has been removed from the crucible. Looks like we'll need to spring for a new crucible.
 

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