Analysis of the use of rare earth metals in ferrous metallurgy of Russia and world

Abstract

The analysis of the current state of production of rare earth metals (REM) in Russia and in the world was made. Information about REM production in different countries of the world and about new foreign projects for REM production and processing is provided. The article presents the balance of production, export and import of raw materials and products with REM, including scandium and yttrium, in Russia. The maximum volume of REM consumption in Russia was calculated taking into account imported products with REM. This data was compared with other countries, including the former USSR. Much attention is paid to the use of REM in metallurgy. Data on the influence of REM on the properties of cast iron and steel are presented. Information is given about the forms of REM used for their use in the Russian ferrous metallurgy. We have studied the structure of REM consumption in ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy. On the example of two enterprises (one of them specializes in mass production, and the second – on production of special steels), the structure of REM consumption for steel alloying was studied by type and scope of its application. The development peculiarities of REM consumption in Russian ferrous metallurgy were investigated. The volume of consumption was calculated; data on imports of raw materials with REM for metallurgy and the producers of ferroalloys with REM in Russia is given. We have analyzed the spectrum of steel products with REM. A comparison of the consumption of REM in the metallurgy of Russia and foreign countries is presented. The reasons for insufficient consumption of REM in the Russian metallurgy are considered, an assessment is given on the change in production volumes of certain types of steel and cast iron, and recommendations are made on the growth of REM consumption in metallurgy.