Vapor-phase process cuts cost of producing titanium powders.(Forming/Processing)

A reactor in which a vapor-phase process directly produces titanium powder is reportedly under development by Vartech Inc., Idaho Falls, Idaho. In the process, a vapor-phase reducing agent generates powder directly from titanium tetrachloride vapor. The reactor operates under normal atmospheric conditions, thus keeping costs down. The company has released few details about the process, because it is still under development under a Missile Defense Agency (MDA) SBIR contract. Through SBIR Phase I and II contracts, MDA funded the project for its potential in producing lower-cost ...