Rare earth-transition metal scrap treatment method

Patent · Mon Feb 10 23:00:00 EST 1992

OSTI ID:7207598

Schmidt, F A; Peterson, D T; Wheelock, J T; Jones, L L; Lincoln, L P

Rare earth-transition metal (e.g. iron) scrap (e.g. Nd-Fe-B scrap) is melted to reduce the levels of tramp oxygen and nitrogen impurities therein. The tramp impurities are reduced in the melt by virtue of the reaction of the tramp impurities and the rare earth to form dross on the melt. The purified melt is separated from the dross for reuse. The oxygen and nitrogen of the melt are reduced to levels acceptable for reuse of the treated alloy in the manufacture of end-use articles, such as permanent magnets. 3 figs.

• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-82
• Assignee: Iowa State Univ. Research Foundation, Inc., Ames, IA (United States)
• Patent Number(s): A; US 5087291
• Application Number: PPN: US 7-591046
• OSTI ID: 7207598
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320305* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Industrial & Agricultural Processes-- Industrial Waste Management
ALLOYS
BORON ALLOYS
ELEMENTS
INDUSTRY
IRON ALLOYS
IRON BASE ALLOYS
MELTING
METAL INDUSTRY
METALS
NEODYMIUM ALLOYS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
RARE EARTH ALLOYS
RECYCLING
SCRAP
SCRAP METALS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SOLID WASTES
WASTES