Chemical milling process for inert anodes
AssigneeAlcoa Inc.
InventorsDennis R. De Capite, Gary P. Tarcy, Susanne M. Opalka, Don R. Careatti
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Abstract
A cermet inert anode having a reduced level of contaminating surface metal is disclosed. Methods for preparing cermet inert anodes and methods for treating cermet inert anodes are also disclosed. The methods generally use an oxidizing agent to convert metals on the surface of the anode to inert oxides and/or to otherwise remove the metal contaminants. The inert anodes of the present invention may be used in electrolytic reduction cells for the production of commercial purity aluminum, as well as other metals.
Claims46
A method of making a cermet inert anode, the method comprising:
- (a) mixing a metal and a ceramic material to form a mixture;
- (b) pressing the mixture of step a);
- (c) sintering the mixture of step b) to form a cermet inert anode comprising a metal phase and a ceramic phase and having an outer surface portion;
- and
- (d) treating said outer surface portion with an oxidizing agent at a temperature and for a time sufficient to minimize levels of contaminating metal on said outer surface portion of said anode.
A method for treating a cermet inert anode comprising submerging the anode in an oxidizing agent at a temperature and for a time sufficient to minimize the level of contaminating metal on the surface of said anode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.