SCANDIUM AND ITS ALLOYS WITH ALUMINUM

In this paper, the behavior of scandium in hydrometallurgical processes in the processing of concentrates of uranium and zirconium is studied. Experimental batches of scandium oxides with purity of 99.0 and 99.9% aluminum master alloy with scandium concentration of 2 and 10% is obtained, analytical methods for determining impurities and technical specifications (TU) was developed for all products containing scandium. For the first time in industrial practice was offered a processing technology of scandium nitrate-containing raw materials, allowing to provide free production and high quality scandium oxide. Fluoride processing technology and modern construction materials provide a high quality scandium fluoride and aluminum master alloy. Optimum process parameters of aluminothermic recovery of scandium fluoride and its melting allow to obtain a product with desired microstructure and its given purity. Aluminum-scandium ligature (2 wt.%) was successfully tested in industrial production of experimental alloy 01570 and rolled out of it. Roll out of alloy 01570 has been used in the manufacture of fuel tanks of spacecraft "Buran" for the storage of liquid hydrogen. The proposed technology of extraction of scandium provides high technical and economic performance.