How are trapped salts removed from titanium sponge?

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To remove trapped salts (such as NaCl or MgCl₂) from titanium sponge, the material is first crushed. Following this, the metal and salts are separated using one of the following methods:

  • Dilute acid leaching: A chemical process used to dissolve and remove the salts.1
  • High-temperature vacuum distillation: A process that removes excess salts and metals through volatilization, typically at temperatures around 1,000 °C (1,800 °F).12

Once separated, these salts are often recycled through electrolytic cells to recover sodium or magnesium and chlorine for reuse in the production process.1