Conditions of preparation of conglomerated molybdenum powder

Summary

Strongly conglomerated molybdenum powder may be produced by reducing molybdenum oxides in hydrogen by the following two methods.

• 1) Reduction of coarse-grained molybdenum dioxide in humid hydrogen in a furnace with moving boats at a temperature of 900°C. In this case, the yield of the middle fraction of conglomerates (particles −71 + 40μ in size) having a bulk density of 1.04 g/cm³ and the same purity as grade MCh powder is about 33%.

• 2) Reduction of coarse-grained molybdenum dioxide with dried hydrogen in a stationary muffle furnace at 1400–1500°C for 5–6 hours. The yield of conglomerates −71 + 40μ in size, with a bulk density of 1.77–2.14 g/cm³, attains 35%; this may be increased by 10–12% by crushing the coarse fraction of conglomerates.