Removing Ti₅Si₃ phase in Ti alloy via desilication of upgraded titania slag using low-temperature alkali leaching

Silicon in two types of upgraded titania slag (UGS) containing different components was removed using a low-temperature alkali solution and melt leaching. The effects of temperature, time, and NaOH solution concentration on desilication rate were investigated. Desilication in melt can lead to the loss of titanium in upgraded titania slag. After agitating at a speed of 600 r/min and 80 degrees C for 300 min, the silicon content in domestic slag decreased from 0.96 wt.% to 0.29 wt.%, and the leaching rate was 69.8% after leaching in 4 mol/L sodium hydroxide solution. Under the same conditions, the silicon content in imported slag decreased from 1.11 wt.% to 0.12 wt.%, and the desilication rate was up to 89.2%. The alloy powders obtained from the reduction of upgraded titania slag with magnesium were sintered to produce titanium alloy, and the alloy was characterized. It was determined that the Ti5Si3 phase in the titanium alloy product was successfully eliminated. In addition, the two UGS materials and the chemical principle of desiliconization were analyzed using a thermodynamic software.