Question

Oxides of metals like Ti, Cr and Fe can be reduced by Al in the Aluminothermic process – True or False?

• A. True
• B. False

Answer 1

The correct option is A

True

This process is also called Goldschmidt thermite process. It involves a highly exothermic reaction like:

$3Ti{O}_2\left(s\right)$ $+4Al\left(s\right)$ $\to$ $2A{l}_2{O}_3$ $\left(s\right)$ $+3Ti\left(l\right)$

$C{r}_2{O}_3$ $\left(s\right)+2Al\left(s\right)$ $\to$ $A{l}_2{O}_3$ $\left(s\right)+2Cr\left(l\right)$

Do note that the reduced metal is in the fused form.

When $F{e}_2{O}_3$ is used, this process is also known as thermite welding (used to join railway tracks). But this is not the preferred method for extraction of Iron commercially.