CMI Highlight: Production of Dy metal from sodium-lean fluoride feedstock
CMI researchers at Ames National Laboratory and Terves conducted the research for this highlight
Innovation
- The sodium-lean fluoride precursor was synthesized through an ambient-temperature aqueous-phase reaction, without using or generating HF.
- Dy metal is produced via metallothermic reduction of sodium-lean dysprosium fluoride salts.
Achievement
Successfully produced about ~420 g of Na(lean)‑Dy‑F by scaling the process threefold through reuse of the same water across three batches, reducing NaF usage by ~40% while achieving high Dy metal purity (≥99.6%).
Significance and Impact
- Demonstrated 115 g-scale production of rare earth metal (Dy) from sodium-lean feedstock without using or generating hazardous chemicals.
- Supports domestic Dy metal for NdFeB permanent magnet production.
Hub Target Addressed
Energy-efficient rare earth metals production.
