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Specialty Chemistry Forums => Materials and Nanochemistry forum => Topic started by: entityBLUE on March 01, 2024, 10:48:47 AM

Title: Lanthanum Extraction from Tungsten Electrodes
Post by: entityBLUE on March 01, 2024, 10:48:47 AM

I do a bit of welding in my free time. In TIG (Tungsten inert gas) I use a tungsten electrode containing Lanthanum (1.5%). Is there any way to extract the Lanthanum from the electrode? I looked elsewhere online and came up empty.
 Lanthanum's melting point is 1,688°F; fairly low compared to Tungsten's 6,192°F, so the metals must be chemically bonded somehow (not just an alloy).
 Extracting the Lanthanum by heat is not really feasible because of the compound's high melting point. Is there some way to do it chemically?
Please advise.

Title: Re: Lanthanum Extraction from Tungsten Electrodes
Post by: Hunter2 on March 01, 2024, 10:55:06 AM

Probably dissolve in aqua regina. Lanthanum can be precipitate as several salts, like Phospate,, Carbonate or flouride. Tungsten will not attacked.

Title: Re: Lanthanum Extraction from Tungsten Electrodes
Post by: entityBLUE on March 01, 2024, 12:06:46 PM

What about thoriated Tungsten. Will the same work to extract Thorium?

Title: Re: Lanthanum Extraction from Tungsten Electrodes
Post by: Hunter2 on March 01, 2024, 02:18:19 PM

Probably yes. Thorium will create Thoriumnitrate or chloride.