Analysis of niobium alloys

An ion-exchange method was applied to the analysis of synthetic mixtures representing various niobium-base alloys. The alloying elements which were separated and determined include vanadium, zirconium, hafnium, titanium, molybdenum, tungsten and tantalum. Mixtures containing zirconium or hafnium, tungsten, tantalum and niobium were separated by means of a single short column. Coupled columns were employed for the resolution of mixtures containing vanadium, zirconium or titanium, molybdenum, tungsten and niobium. The separation procedures and the methods employed for the determination of the alloying elements in their separate fractions are described.     

Thermodynamic investigations of uranium-rich binary and ternary alloys

Uranium–zirconium, uranium niobium, and uranium–zirconium–niobium alloys were synthesized by the arc melting technique and their phase transition temperatures were determined using a high temperature calorimeter. Heat capacities of U–7 wt%Zr, U–7 wt%Nb, U–5 wt%Zr–2 wt%Nb, U–3.5 wt%Nb–3.5 wt%Zr, and U–2 wt%Zr–5 wt%Nb were measured using a differential scanning calorimeter in the temperature range 303–921 K. A set of self-consistent thermodynamic functions such as entropy, enthalpy, and Gibbs energy function data for these binary and ternary alloys were reported for the first time using heat capacity data obtained in this study and required literature data.     

Determination of niobium in zirconium-niobium alloys

A rapid control determination of niobium in 50% zirconium/50% niobium master-alloy is described; it is a direct spectrophotometric procedure, based on the reaction of niobium ions with hydrogen peroxide in concentrated sulphuric acid. The procedure is suitable for the examination of zirconium alloys containing niobium in the range 0.1 to about 60%. At least 1% of chromium, cobalt, copper, manganese, nickel or tantalum, does not interfere. Interference due to optical absorption by the peroxy-complexes of titanium, tungsten, molybdenum and vanadium is not significant in the determination of niobium above about 1%, provided that these metals are not in excess of about 0.5%, 0.25%, 0.1% and 0.02%, respectively. To compensate for optical absorption due to iron(III), a solution of the sample, not treated with peroxide, is used.     

Surface characteristics of titanium–silver alloys in artificial saliva

Titanium and its alloys are widely used in biomedical and dental fields because of their excellent corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. It is well known that titanium is protected from corrosion because of the stability of the passive film that controls and determines the corrosion resistance and biocompatibility of titanium and its alloys. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the electrochemical properties of titanium–silver alloys and the surface characteristics of passive film in artificial saliva. We designed titanium–silver alloys with silver contents ranging from 0 to 5 at.%, in 1% increments. These alloys were arc‐melted, homogenized, hot‐rolled to 2 mm thickness, and finally solution heat‐treated for 1 h and quenched. Potentiostatic testing was performed, and the open circuit potentials of the alloys were measured in artificial saliva, at 37 °C. The passive films of the titanium–silver alloys were analyzed via XPS. Titanium–silver alloys maintained low current density and showed stable passive region and also had high open circuit potential as compared with pure titanium. The open circuit potential of titanium–silver alloys increased as silver addition increased. With regard to the fraction of oxygen species, a component of over 80% was found to be comprised of oxide. Therefore, the titanium surface mainly consisted of titanium oxide and, on the titanium–silver alloys, this film was composed of TiO₂, Ti₂O₃, and TiO. As silver content increased, the TiO₂ fraction also increased, as did the thickness of the titanium oxide layer formed. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Simple spectrophotometric method for determination of zirconium or hafnium in selected molybdenum-base alloys

A simple analytical procedure is described for determining zirconium or hafnium in molybdenum-base alloys by formation of the Arsenazo III complex of zirconium or hafnium in 9 M hydrochloric acid medium. The absorbance is measured at 670 nm. Molybdenum (10 mg), titanium (1 mg), and rhenium (10 mg) have no adverse effect. No prior separation is needed. The relative standard deviation is 1.3-2.7%.     

The analysis of zirconium-thorium binary alloys

Thorium-zirconium binary alloys are analysed by complexometric procedures. For alloys containing more than 20% thorium or 5% zirconium by weight, the sum of the constituents is obtained by a back titration procedure at pH 2.6–2.8 with bismuth nitrate using xylenol orange as indicator. Thorium is then masked with sulphate and the liberated EDTA is titrated with bismuth at pH 1.2–1.3. For alloys containing less than 20% of thorium, thorium fluoride is precipitated on lanthanum fluoride to effect its separation before titration. For alloys containing less than 5% of zirconium, the zirconium is separated by precipitation with p-bromo-mandelic acid.     

Reaction of calcium and phosphate ions with titanium,zirconium, niobium,and tantalum

To understand the bone formation ability of constituent metal elements of new titanium alloys, titanium, zirconium, niobium, and tantalum, these metals were immersed in various electrolytes containing calcium and/or phosphate ions and characterized using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. In addition, cathodic polarization of the metals in the electrolytes was performed to evaluate the stability of the surface oxide films on the metals in the electrolyte. The calcium phosphate layer formed on Ti in electrolytes containing calcium and phosphate ions is relatively protective against mass transfer throughout the layer. However, the zirconium phosphate layer formed on Zr is much more protective and stable than that on Ti. Therefore, calcium ions were not incorporated. Nb and Ta formed calcium phosphate, but the amount was smaller than that in Ti, because phosphates formed on Nb and Ta are somewhat protective and the incorporation of the calcium ion is inhibited. Titanium played the most important role in forming calcium phosphate, while zirconium inhibited the formation of calcium phosphate on titanium alloys. The control of bone formation is feasible by the design of titanium alloys. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

X-ray fluorescence analysis of titanium alloys

An X-ray solution method is proposed for determining major amounts of Mo, Sn and Zr in Ti alloys. The method utilizes adjacent elements in the periodic table as internal standards and has been successfully applied to levels of 3-10% Sn, 11-40% Mo and 6-20% Zr. The procedure involves three steps: dissolving the sample with a suitable acid mixture; adding the suitable internal standard at the concentration levels experimentally found to give optimum accuracy and precision; analysing the resulting solution mixture by X-ray fluorescence. Antimony was found to be a suitable internal standard for its adjacent element tin at a concentration ratio of 3:1 Sb:Sn. Niobium was successfully used for both its adjacent elements, molybdenum and zirconium, at 2:1 concentration ratios, Nb:Mo and Nb:Zr. A number of elements non-adjacent to tin, molybdenum and zirconium (i.e., copper, bromine, titanium, bismuth and tantalum) were experimentally found unsuitable as internal standards. Concentration factors of the internal standard and the adjacent elements sought were found to affect significantly the precision of analysis.     

Enthalpy and heat capacity of titanium based alloys

Light metal alloys, as aluminium- and titanium based alloys, are of great interest to aerospace industry but thermodynamic information, mainly heat capacity, is often missing. Then we measured on heating the heat content of seven industrial titanium alloys from room temperature to 600°C with the help of a high-temperature Calvet calorimeter (drop method). Their heat capacities were deduced by derivation of the enthalpy with respect to temperature. The departures from Kopp-Neuman law were calculated.     

Colorimetric determination of niobium in titanium alloys

There is need for a method for the determination of niobium in titanium alloys, since niobium-titanium alloys are becoming increasingly important. The determination of niobium in this type of alloy is an extremely difficult matter. Many approaches were tried before the problem was solved. In the method proposed in this paper the sample is dissolved in a mixture of hydrofluoric and nitric acids, the solution evaporated to a small volume, and boric acid added. Two tannic acid separations are then made to separate the niobium from the bulk of the titanium. The niobium, is determined colorimetrically by the thiocyanate method using a water-acetone medium. A study was made of the possible interference of elements that might be present in titanium alloys. It was found that the presence of tantalum causes two opposing tendencies. Tantalum can cause high results for niobium because it forms a complex with thiocyanate which is visually colorless but shows some absorption. Tantalum can cause low results for niobium by hindering the development of the niobium color. The resultant effect of the tantalum depends upon the amount of tantalum present, the amount of niobium present and the ratio of tantalum to niobium. The presence of more than one per cent. tungsten can lead to high results for niobium. Other elements that might be present in titanium alloys do not interfere with the method. The procedure is designed for titanium alloys containing 0.05 to 10 per cent. niobium. The method is reasonably rapid. Six determinations can be finished in two days. The method should be applicable to many other materials besides titanium alloys.     

Determination of boron in titanium alloys by means of ion exchange

There is need for a rapid method for the determination of moderate amounts of boron in titanium alloys. In this paper a method is proposed which uses ion exchange. The method is applicable to titanium alloys containing 0.025 to 1 per cent. boron. One or two grams of the sample are dissolved in hydrochloric acid, and the titanium and boron are oxidized with nitric acid. The bulk of the titanium is removed by a cation exchanger. A calcium carbonate separation is made to remove the residual titanium and adjust the acidity. The boron is then titrated with sodium hydroxide, after the addition of mannitol. None of the elements found in commercial titanium alloys interferes with the method.     

Analytical applications of Zr(IV) and Ti(IV) arsenophosphates as ion-exchangers

The distribution of 27 metal ions between zirconium and titanium arsenophosphate and demineralized water, perchloric acid and nitric acid has been studied. On the basis of the results, several binary and ternary separations can be designed. The data have been used in application of these materials to the analysis of certain alloys and rocks.     

Study of the molecular absorption spectrometric determination of phosphorus in steel, nickel base alloys and zircaloy using the yellow phosphovanadomolybdate complex

Summary The molecular absorption spectrometric method using the yellow phosphovanadomolybdate complex,adopted as ISO-standard for determination of phosphorus in steel, has been optimized.High and varying blank values often reported in literature were found to be due to silicon interference. The silicon is released from the glass beaker during fuming with perchloric acid and the problem is avoided by either using teflon beakers or by adding hydrofluoric and boric acid after fuming.Interferences from elements present in the metal (arsenic, chromium, silicon and the refractory elements) were quantified and procedures are described for masking these interferences in order to make the method applicable to high-alloy steels, tool steels, nickel-base alloys and Zircaloys. Arsenic, hafnium, niobium, tantalum and tungsten cause the most severe interferences. Chromium, titanium and zirconium were found to have weak interferences whereas molybdenum and silicon did not interfere at all despite large amounts of precipitated oxides.Results reported by other authors that many old certified reference materials of low-and high-alloy steels have too high certified phosphorus values were confirmed with the described method as well as with the ICP-OES technique. However, the lower values were only found for alloys without Hf, Nb, Ta or W. Alloys containing these elements were often found to have higher phosphorus values, which reflects interferences not completely removed in the previous analyses of these alloys.

---

Untersuchung der molekularabsorptions-spektrometrischen Phosphorbestimmung auf Grund des gelben Phosphovanadomolybdat-Komplex in Stahl, Nickellegierungen und ZircaloyPhosphorbestimmung in Referenzmaterialien

     

Determination of tin in titanium alloys

Tin-titanium alloys are becoming increasingly important; consequently a good method is needed for the determination of tin in this type of material. In this paper an accurate iodometric procedure is proposed for the determination. The sample is dissolved in sulfuric acid and the titanium oxidized with potassium permanganate. Tartaric acid is added and the tin precipitated with hydrogen, sulfide. The sulfide precipitate is dissolved in a mixture of sulfuric, perchloric and nitric acids and the solution evaporated to fumes of sulfuric acid. Water and hydrochloric acid are added, and the tin is reduced with lead and antimony trichloride and titrated with iodine. A study was made of the interfering elements that might be found in titanium alloys. The effect of antimony trichloride in reducing interference from copper was investigated. The method is recommended for titanium alloys containing 0.05 to 5.0 per cent. tin.     

The determination of zirconium and aluminium in alloys slags and fumes by 14-mev neutron activation analysis

Aluminium and zirconium have beendetermined in alloys, slags and fumes by 14-MeV neutron activation analysis. Nuclear reactions with zirconium have been investigated, and the radioisotopes produced by 14-MeV neutron activation have been determined. The results for alloys and slags agree well with those obtained by chemical methods; precisions of 1.8% were obtained in ideal cases. The neutron activation method is capable of analysing 10–12 samples, in duplicate, per man-day.     

Neutron activation of chlorine in zirconium and zirconium alloys use of the matrix as comparator

A procedure is described for neutron activation analysis of chlorine in zirconium and zirconium alloys. Calculation of chlorine concentration is performed relative to zirconium concentration in the matrix in order to minimize effects of differences in irradiation and counting geometry. Principles of the method, and the results obtained are discussed.     

Colorimetric determination of chromium in titanium alloys

Chromium-titanium alloys are becoming increasingly important because of their strength and corrosion, resistance. Therefore, accurate methods for the determination of chromium in this type of alloy are needed. A colorimetric procedure for the determination of chromium in titanium alloys is proposed. In this method the chromium is oxidised to the chromate state by means of ammonium persulfate and potassium permanganate in the presence of silver nitrate as a catalyst. Diphenylcarbazide is then added to an aliquot of the solution, and the violet color read in 10 to 40 minutes at 580 millimicrons. None of the elements found in commercial titanium alloys, including iron, vanadium, molybdenum, and tungsten, interferes with the method. The proposed method is superior to the volumetric method for the determination of small amounts of chromium. The method is designed for titanium. alloys containing 0.02 to 4 per cent chromium.     

Determination of vanadium in refractory metals, steel, cast iron, alloys and silicates by extraction of an NBPHA complex from a sulphuric-hydrofluoric acid medium

A method for determining up to 0.15% of vanadium in high-purity niobium and tantalum metals, cast iron, steel, non-ferrous alloys and silicates is described. The proposed method is based on the extraction of a red vanadium(V)-N-benzoyl-N-phenylhydroxylamine complex into chloroform from a sulphuric-hydrofluoric acid medium containing excess of ammonium persulphate as oxidant. The molar absorptivity of the complex is 428 l.mole(-1).mm(-5) at 475 nm, the wavelength of maximum absorption. Interference from chromium(VI) and cerium(IV) is eliminated by reduction with iron(II). Common ions, including large amounts of titanium, zirconium, molybdenum and tungsten, do not interfere.     

The determination of titanium in alloys by atomic absorption spectroscopy

A method is described for the determination of 0.1–1.2 % of titanium in steels, permanent magnet alloys and cast iron using atomic absorption spectroscopy with hydrofluoric acid solutions and a nitrous oxide-acetylene flame. No preliminary separations are required. When the correct conditions are employed there is no interference from the other elements commonly found in these alloys.     

Determination of thorium in magnesium alloys that contain zirconium

Summary An indirect polarographic method for the determination of thorium in magnesium alloys that contain zirconium, zinc, and rare-earth elements is described. The method depends on the precipitation of thorium as the tetra (m-nitrobenzoate) and the polarographic determination of the m-nitrobenzoic acid that is equivalent to the amount of thorium that was so precipitated. The only interference, that of zirconium, is forestalled by the prior removal of the zirconium on an anion-exchange resin. The zirconium can easily be eluted quantitatively from the resin, for subsequent determination.The method avoids tedious separational procedures, and yields accurate and precise values for thorium in the alloys for which it was devised. It is also applicable to simpler substances.The authors gratefully acknowledge the grant from the Defence Research Board of Canada that made possible this investigation (Project D44-75-10-04).