Extraction of Rare Earth from La–Ni Alloys by the Glass Slag Method

Abstract

The use of the glass slag method in the extraction of rare earth from La–Ni alloys was studied. X-ray diffraction and electron probe microanalysis studies revealed that the La–Ni alloys produced by the glass slag method using boron trioxide consisted of Ni and Ni3B phases. No La-containing phase such as the LaNi5 phase and the La oxide phase was found in the resultant alloys. The chemical analyses confirmed that the La content in the alloys produced by the glass slag method was very limited. However, the glass slag materials contained a large amount of lanthanum. The La in the La–Ni alloys was successfully extracted by the glass slag method using boron trioxide.