Synthesis and Characterization of Na2Ti3O7 powder

Flux assisted tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding is nowadays one of the most common welding processes. In this type of welding, oxygen caused by the decomposition of oxides will affect the heat-affected zone and expand it. Sodium titanate Na2Ti3O7 is a novel compound that is used as the flux in TIG welding, but it cannot be found as a stable compound in nature. In order to use it, it needs to be synthesized. It can be generated as a reaction product of sodium carbonate and titanium oxide. In this research, the effects of time and temperature on the synthesis of Na2Ti3O7 were investigated. The powders of TiO2 and Na2CO3 were mixed in the stoichiometric ratio in an alumina combustion boat and were heated in a muffle furnace; the size of the powders was measured with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The synthetic product is characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and SEM. The results showed that the optimum synthesizing of sodium titanate occurred above 800 degree Celsius after 16 hours.

Keywords:

Sodium titanate , Synthesis , Active flux , Pyrometallurgy.