Method for producing La/Ce/MM/Y base alloys, resulting alloys and battery electrodes

摘要

A carbothermic reduction method is provided for reducing a La-, Ce-, MM-, and/or Y-containing oxide in the presence of carbon and a source of a reactant element comprising Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, As, Sb, Bi, and/or P to form an intermediate alloy material including a majority of La, Ce, MM, and/or Y and a minor amount of the reactant element. The intermediate material is useful as a master alloy for in making negative electrode materials for a metal hydride battery, as hydrogen storage alloys, as master alloy additive for addition to a melt of commercial Mg and Al alloys, steels, cast irons, and superalloys; or in reducing Sm2O3 to Sm metal for use in Sm—Co permanent magnets.

主权项

1. A method of making a rare earth-based alloy, comprising carbothermically reducing an oxide selected from the group consisting of La-containing oxide, a Ce-containing oxide, and MM-containing oxide in the presence of carbon as a reducing agent and a source of a reactant element X at a temperature less than about 1800 degrees C. wherein X is selected from the group consisting of Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, As, Sb, Bi, and P to achieve substantial completion of the carbothermic reduction reaction to form a low carbon alloy that comprises a majority of a rare earth element selected from the group consisting of La, Ce, and MM, a minor amount of X present in an amount of about 1 weight % to 18 weight % of the alloy, and a low carbon content in an amount of about 2 weight % or less of the alloy.