METHOD FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF METAL FOAMS BY ELECTROLYTIC REDUCTION OF POROUS OXIDIC PREFORMS

A method of removing oxygen from a solid metal, metal compound or semi-metal M 1 O by electrolysis in a fused salt of M 2 Y or a mixture of salts, which comprises conducting electrolysis under conditions such that reaction of X rather than M 2 deposition occurs at an electrode surface and that oxygen dissolves in the electrolyte M 2 Y and wherein, M 1 O is in the form of a granules or is in the form of a powder which is preferably agitated, for example in a fluidised bed arrangement. Also disclosed is a method of producing a metal foam comprising the steps of fabricating a foam-like metal oxide preform, removing oxygen from said foam structured metal oxide preform by electrolysis in a fused salt of M 2 Y or a mixture of salts. Also disclosed is a method of producing a metal or semi-metal or alloy component comprising the steps of providing a ceramic facsimile (metal oxide or mixture of metal oxides) of the desized metal component and removing oxygen from the facsimile by electrolysis in a fused salt of M 2 Y or a mixture of salts.