Extraction of Titanium

Ores :
Titanium is the fourth most abundant metal, accounting for approximately 0.62 percent of the
Earth's crust.

Titanium naturally exists in minerals such as Anatase (TiO 2), Brookite (TiO2), Ilmenite
(FeTiO3) contains 50% Titanium, Leucoxene (CaTi(SiO4)O) contains 90% Titanium, Rutile
(TiO2) is the purest form, and Sphene (CaTi-SiO5) is mostly not used because the production
of titanium using these ores is difficult (removing calcium), but Sphene also includes silicon
and calcium, causing titanium extraction from the above- mentioned ore difficult.

Extraction :

Titanium is manufactured using the Kroll process. To mention a few phases, there is
extraction, purification, sponge purification, alloy creation, and forming and shaping. The
purification and production of the sponge will be the next step in the manufacturing process.
Titanium Tetrachloride (TiCl4) is purified by placing it in distillation tanks. During this step,
the waste products are separated using fractional distillation and precipitation. Metal
chlorides such as iron, vanadium, zirconium, silicon, and magnesium are removed during this
process. After that, the purified Titanium Tetrachloride is moved to a stainless steel vessel.
After that, the container is filled with magnesium and heated to 1,100°C. Argon is pumped
into the container to remove air and prevent oxygen or nitrogen contamination. Magnesium
combines with chlorine to form Magnesium Chloride, a liquid. Because titanium has a higher
melting point than the reaction, pure titanium remains solid. After the titanium solid has been
removed from the reactor, it is treated with water and hydrochloric acid to remove the
remaining Magnesium and Magnesium Chloride. The final result is a sponge, which is a
porous and fluffy metal.

Alloy formation is the final step in the Titanium manufacturing process. The pure Titanium
sponge is then converted into a titanium alloy for commercial use using an electrode arc
furnace. The sponge has now been combined with different alloy additives and scrap metal.
In a laboratory starting from raw, the specific proportion of sponge to alloy material is
calculated. After that, the mass is compressed and welded together to form a sponge
electrode. After that, the sponge electrode is melted in a vacuum arc furnace. In this water-
cooled copper container, an electric arc is used to melt the sponge electrode and form an
ingot.The container's air would either be removed (creating a vacuum) or discharged into the
atmosphere. It is filled with Argon to avoid contamination. The ingot is typically re-melted
one or two more times to produce a standard quality ingot. An ingot is removed from the
furnace once it has been formed and checked for imperfections. The exterior can be
compelled to meet the needs of the customer. The ingot is then transported to multiple
industries where it is designed and manufactured into customers ’ requirements.