Patent · US Expired

Rare earth-transition metal scrap treatment method

US5087291A · kind A · utility

2Cited by
6References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 1, 1990
Grant dateFeb 11, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 1, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02P10/20
  • WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

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.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.