Extraction of Magnesium, Titanium and Aluminium

Abstract

Magnesium, titanium and aluminium are classified as light metals. They are extensively in structures and components where the strength/weight ratio is an important factor determining the choice of the metal. India possesses vast reserves of these metals in its minerals, in the form of oxides, silicates, carbonates etc. Developments in tech-nologies for the extraction of these metals have been driven by the need to reduce the cost of production and make the utilization of these metals and their alloys viable in industrial application. The processes must have no adverse impact on the environment, too. Cost of raw materials, cost and availability of reducing agents and the cost of energy are the major factors that dete-rmine the viability of any process for the extraction of these metals. Magnesium and titanium are fast emerging as the favoured metals in the manufacture of automobile components due to their high strength/weight ratio and excellent properties at high temperatures. The high cost of production of these metals has severely limited the exploitation of this huge emerging market. Therefore, the focus is on developing alternative technologies to reduce the cost of production of these metals. The technology for the extraction of aluminium is well established. Attempts are being made to reduce the impact of the extraction process on the environment and also to reduce the energy consumption. Another interesting attempt has been to use carbon as a reducing agent for the reduction of the oxide. The relevance of the emerging technological options for India will depend on the type of raw materials available; the cost of the same; the energy resources available and the preferred scale of operation.