Invention entitled ‘Method of obtaining semi-finished zirconium products’ (Pat.238595/P.427642)

Description:

The object of the invention is a method for obtaining semi-finished zirconium products using the FAST/SPS method. Zirconium semi-finished products, as innovative products, have applications in many fields, including those related to nuclear energy, the manufacture of chemical apparatus and electrical and electronic equipment components. The traditional technological process for the manufacture of zirconium products or semi-finished products is very complicated due to the large number of forming processes and intermediate heat and mechanical treatment processes. The efficiency of these processes is low due to the high amount of technological waste in the individual operations. Thanks to the developed technology for obtaining semi-finished products from zirconium powder, it is possible to significantly shorten both the manufacturing time of semi-finished products by eliminating a number of forming operations, and to reduce material consumption by reducing technological waste compared to the traditional process. Semi-finished products obtained using the new technology have the same mechanical properties as those obtained using the traditional method.

Benefits:

• Zirconium is characterised by a unique combination of physico-mechanical and thermo-physical parameters and a low value of the cross-sectional coefficient for the absorption of thermal neutrons (0.18 ± 0.02 barn), which is why zirconium semi-finished products and products, obtained using the method according to the invention, find wide application in the nuclear power industry.
• Zirconium is also characterised by exceptionally high corrosion resistance and sufficiently good mechanical properties when working in an aggressive environment, which is why zirconium products and semi-finished products are used in the manufacture of chemical apparatus and components of electrical and electronic equipment, such as electron tubes, capacitors, rectifiers.
• Zirconia products do not cause undesirable allergic reactions in the human body and are therefore highly applicable in surgical use.
• Zirconium semi-finished product is obtained in a single FAST/SPS process.

Status of legal protection:

The technology consists of patent Pat.238595 granted by the Patent Office of the Republic of Poland, in force since 5 November 2018.

The property rights to the invention are held by the Łukasiewicz Research Network – Poznan Institute of Technology and Częstochowa University of Technology.

Contact person:

Maria Wiśniewska

Główny Specjalista – Kierownik Grupy Badawczej Inżynierii Materiałowej
Grupa Badawcza Inżynierii Materiałowej

Tel.: +48 887 584 110

E-mail: maria.wisniewska@pit.lukasiewicz.gov.pl