Process for oxidizing primarily nickel powders
AssigneeThe International Nickel Company, Inc.
InventorsBrian Hill, William Herbert Elwood, Jr.
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Abstract
A process for producing nickel oxide and other products in which percentages of metal powder, particularly nickel powder, and water are blended, the blend being subjected to a heat treatment to form the desired product. In the case of nickel oxide, the blend is exposed to air and temperature sufficient to form an oxide shell substantially about the powder particles, this treatment being followed by a final firing heat treatment.
Claims10
A process for producing nickel oxide (NiO) which is both readily friable and of high purity which comprises forming a blend of nickel powder and water, the water content being present in an amount of about 2% and sufficient to prevent the occurrence of deleterious sintering during subsequent heat treatment with the upper level being about 20%, subjecting the blend to a preheat treatment in which the blend is exposed to air and a temperature within the range of about 700.degree. F. to about 1350.degree. F. such as to form an outer oxide shell substantially about the powder particle surfaces, whereby undesirable sintering during firing is greatly inhibited, the preheating temperature not exceeding that at which excessive exothermic reaction occurs, and thereafter firing the preheat treated product at a temperature of about 1500.degree. F. to about 1850.degree. F. to complete the oxidation process.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.