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Abstract

A method of reclaiming a metal M.sub.1 from a source of highly contaminated metal M.sub.1X having a high oxygen content includes the steps of: sintering the highly contaminated finely divided metal M.sub.1X into a perform; introducing the preform into an electrochemical cell, the cell containing a liquid electrolyte comprising a fused salt or mixture of salts generally designated as M.sub.2Y in which oxygen is soluble, and a relatively inert anode; conducting electrolysis under conditions favorable to the selective dissolution of oxygen in preference to the deposition of the M.sub.2 cation to form a decontaminated metal preform; and following electrolysis, reclaiming the decontaminated metal preform from the cathode. The reclaimed decontaminated metal preform may optionally be crushed to yield a powder of the metal M.sub.1. The highly contaminated finely divided metal may comprise swarf, chips and such-like from machining operations, or may comprise high oxygen content metal powders such as hydride-dehydride (HDH) titanium powder. By using the method of the present invention, the oxygen content of the finely divided metal can be reduced to less than 4000 ppm, preferably less than 2000 ppm, more preferably less than 1000 ppm and even more preferably less than 500 ppm.

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First Claim