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U.S. Department of Energy
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Metallothermic reduction of yttrium halides

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:7313925

This investigation studied new methods to prepare high-purity yttrium metal. Various methods were used to prepare pure intermediate compounds, primarily chlorides, bromides, and iodides, which were subsequently reduced to metal. Lithium and sodium proved to be the best reductants from the standpoint of yield (greater than 95 percent) and purity (greater than 99.8 percent) of the yttrium. The purest yttrium obtained was prepared by sodium reduction of yttrium chloride and contained only 125 ppM oxygen; other impurities did not exceed 1,000 ppM. In larger scale tests yttrium containing only 800 to 1,000 ppM total impurities was obtained by lithium reduction of yttrium chloride. The tensile properties of high-purity yttrium were determined. Mechanical tests showed that yttrium can be forged, extruded, rolled, spot welded, and deep drawn. (DLC)

Research Organization:
Bureau of Mines, Albany, OR (USA). Albany Metallurgy Research Center
DOE Contract Number:
EY-76-C-02-0599
OSTI ID:
7313925
Report Number(s):
BM-RI-6259
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English