Investigation of the Elemental Composition of Titanium Metal Waste by X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis

Abstract

The purpose of this work was to study the elemental composition of titanium metal waste to be processed by the method of electroerosive dispersion into spherical powders suitable for additive manufacturing.Methods. When conducting experiments on X-ray fluorescence analysis of chemical composition, pieces of metal waste rods of a titanium alloy of an unknown brand were used. An X-ray fluorescence spectrometer Niton Goldd (USA) was used to determine the elemental composition and percentage of elements in the alloy under study. With this method, X-ray radiation is directed at the sample under study, the reflected wave spectrum is obtained and the characteristics of the spectrum of secondary fluorescent radiation of the sample are analyzed. In this case, electromagnetic waves form secondary X-ray radiation, i.e., characteristic lines that are characteristic of atoms of various elements and have their own individual characteristics. Thus, the elemental composition of the sample under study is determined, and the intensity of these lines shows the quantitative concentration of elements.Results. Using a portable Niton Goldd spectrometer, it was found that titanium metal waste corresponds to the grade of the OT4-0 alloy. The data obtained made it possible to identify samples of the studied metal waste to be processed by the method of electroerosive dispersion into spherical powders suitable for additive manufacturing. As a result of comparing the percentage of chemical elements of the studied metal waste and alloy OT4-0 according to GOST 19807-91, minor discrepancies were found due to the absence of elements such as O, Si, C, N and H. in metal waste. Apparently, this difference is related to their possible presence in small amounts up to 0.1% or complete absence.Conclusion. Renovation of metal waste, including titanium metal waste, will contribute to resource conservation, import substitution and ensuring the technological sovereignty of the Russian Federation.