Fused fluoride electrolytes for magnesium oxide electrolysis in the production of magnesium metal

摘要

Magnesium oxide or suitable precursors of magnesium oxide may be dissolved in a molten salt bath comprising magnesium cations, rare earth element cations and fluoride anions and the resultant magnesium containing bath electrolyzed so as to produce a magnesium-rare earth element alloy. While such magnesium-rare earth element alloy has utility as is, electrolytic and chemical practices are also disclosed for reducing the rare earth element content of the magnesium alloy.