MATERIALS PROCESSING METHOD AND APPARATUS

摘要

A solid material (M1X) (6) comprising a solid solution of a non-metal species (X) in a metal or semi-metal (M1) or a compound between the non-metal species and the metal or semi-metal is immersed in a molten salt (M2Y) (4). A cathodic potential is applied to the material to remove a portion of the non-metal species by electro-deoxidation. As this reaction proceeds it becomes less efficient and so to remove the non-metal species at lower concentrations a source of a reactive metal (M3) (8) is immersed in the molten salt and is electronically connected to the material, either by electronic conduction through the salt or through an external circuit. Reactions occur at the material, where the non-metal species dissolves in the salt, and at the reactive metal, which reacts with the non-metal species dissolved in the salt to form a reaction product more stable than a compound between the non-metal species and the metal or semi-metal (M1). The non-metal species is thus removed from the solid material.