PRODUCTION OF HYDROGEN STORAGE ALLOY

摘要

PURPOSE: To obtain a low-cost hydrogen storage alloy having characteristics comparable to those of a hydrogen storage alloy produced using a conventional metallic material while using a Zr-Ni alloy which is relatively less expensive than metal Zr. CONSTITUTION: Starting material having a compsn. contg. a larger amt. of Mn or Zn than the amt. of Mn or Zn in the compsn. of the objective hydrogen storage alloy by >=0.1 [expressed in terms of the ratio of Mn or Zn to Zr (or Zr+Ti in the case of a Ti-contg. hydrogen storage alloy] is melted in an inert gaseous atmosphere, excess Mn or Zn in the resultant melt is vaporized and then the melt is cooled to produce the objective hydrogen storage alloy. In other way, the starting material is melted and cooled in an inert gaseous atmosphere to produce an alloy and excess Mn or Zn in this alloy is vaporized by heating the alloy at 900-1,400 deg.C under reduced pressure.