Rare earth-transition metal scrap treatment method

Patent · Mon Feb 10 23:00:00 EST 1992

OSTI ID:868167

Schmidt, Frederick A ^[1]; Peterson, David T ^[1]; Wheelock, John T ^[2]; Jones, Lawrence L ^[3]; Lincoln, Lanny P ^[4]

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1. Ames, IA
2. Nevada, IA
3. Des Moines, IA
4. Woodward, IA

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.

• Research Organization: Ames Laboratory (AMES), Ames, IA; Iowa State University, Ames, IA (US)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-82
• Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc. (Ames, IA)
• Patent Number(s): US 5087291
• Application Number: 07/591,046
• OSTI ID: 868167
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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