Stable high temp. electrodes which can be regenerated - and have very long life when used in mfg. metals by electrolysis of molten salts

摘要

The electrodes consist of several tubes, bars and/or plates made of inorganic fibres (I) which conduct the electric current, and at least one electrochemically active material (II). The longitudinal axes of the fibres (I) are aligned in a prefd. direction which coincides with the direction of travel of the electric current. Fibres (I) are coated with one or more layers of material (II) and/or embedded in material (II). Another material may be used to aid the adhesion of coatings (II) on fibres (I). Fibres (I) are made of C; B and/or SiC; TaC or WC; a mixt. of C and sub-stoichiometric(s-s) TaC, i.e. TaCx where x is below 1; s-s TaC plus s-s NbC; or s-s TaC, s-s NBc and carbon. Material (II) consists of metal carbide, -boride, -nitride, and/or metal; one or more barium titanates, or a cermet.. In the electrolysis of molten salts for mfg. metals, e.g. Al, Mg, Na, Li, the wear of conventional carbon electrodes is 0.7-10 g/100 hours. The invention reduces this rate to e.g. 0.06-0.1 g/100 h.