• Resources Recycling
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.57-63
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• 2003

In this study, the separation of neodymium was investigated from NdFeB permanent magnet scrap. Decomposition and leach-ing process of NdFeB permanent magnet scrap by oxidation roasting and sulfuric arid leaching were examined. Neodymium could be separated from iron by double salt precipitation using sodium sulfate. The optimum conditions established for decom-position and leaching are as follows: oxidation roasting temperature is $500^{\circ}C$ for sintered scrap and $700^{\circ}C$ for bonded scrap, concentration of sulfuric acid in leaching solution is 2.0 M, leaching temperature and time is $50^{\circ}C$ and 2 hrs, and pulp density is 15%. The leaching yield of neodymium and iron was 99.4% and 95.7% respectively. The optimum condition for separation of neodymium by double-salt precipitation was 2 equivalents of sodium sulfate and $50^{\circ}C$ The yield of neodymium was above 99.9%.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.48-57
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• 2018

In this study, we developed a method for manufacturing high strength gray cast irons by adding a rare earth element (R.E.) included in a spent permanent magnet scrap to gray cast irons. The improvement of the mechanical properties of gray cast irons is attributed to A-type graphite formation promoted by complex sulfide, which was formed by R.E. in the spent magnets during a solidification process. The cast specimen inoculated by R.E. in the spent magnet scrap showed excellent tensile strength up to 306 MPa, and is similar to that of the specimen inoculated by expensive misch-metal. In this regards, we concluded that the cheap spent magnets scrap is a very efficient inoculation agent in fabrication of high performance gray cast irons.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.43-48
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• 2004

For the separation of neodymium from NdFeB permanent magnet scrap, the scrap was roasted for oxidizing, and leached with acetic acid followed by fractional crystallization for selective separation. From the analysis results of the leached solution, the optimum condition for the recovery of neodymium was found that leaching temperature, leaching time and pulp density are 80$^{\circ}C$, 3 hours, and 35%, respectively. At this optimum condition, more than 90% of neodymium could be recovered. Concentration of neodymium acetate in acetic acid. The optimum condition for the recovery of neodymium acetate crystal from the leached solution was that the initial leaching solution was evaporated until the remaining volume was about 1/5 of the initial volume. At this condition, 67.5% of neodymium was recovered from the leached solution. The neodymium remaining in the concentrated solution was recovered by reacting it with oxalic acid.

• Clean Technology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.110-116
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• 2022

In this study, iron oxide (FeO_x) nanoparticles were synthesized using iron (Fe) by-products recovered from NdFeB permanent magnet scraps, and the effect of heat-treatment temperature on the physical properties of the FeO_x nanoparticles was investigated. In order to prepare the FeO_x nanoparticles, 2.0 M ammonia (NH₄OH) solution was added to an iron by-product solution diluted to c.a. 10 wt% in D.I. water, which led to the precipitation of the iron oxide precursor. Then, the FeO_x nanoparticles were synthesized by heat-treatment at 300 ℃, 400 ℃, 500 ℃ and 600 ℃. After that, the physical properties of the FeO_x nanoparticles were investigated in order to understand the effect of the heat-treatment temperature. The results of the X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed that the diffraction peak in accordance with the <104> direction increased as the heat-treatment increased, and a diffraction peak indicating the α-Fe₂O₃ crystal structure was detected at heat-treatment temperatures above 500 ℃. The BET specific surface area analysis revealed that the specific surface area decreased as the heat-treatment temperature increased to above 400 ℃. Observation with a high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) showed that rod-shaped nanoparticles were formed, and the size of the nanoparticles showed a tendency to increase as the heat-treatment temperature increased.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.39-47
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• 2017

In this study, the precipitation of rare earth-sodium sulfate with sodium sulfate was conducted in order to separate rare earth from Fe in rare earth sulfate solution. Neodymium (Nd) was easily precipitated as Nd-sulfate salt with sodium sulfate, on the other hand, excessive sodium sulfate was needed for the precipitation of Dy-sulfate salt. Also neodymium not only promoted the precipitation of dysprosium sulfate salt but also increased recovery of dysprosium sulfate salt in sulfuric acid solution. At the condition of $60^{\circ}C$ precipitation temperature, 3 h reaction time, 7 equivalents sodium sulfate, the recovery of neodymium and dysprosium sulfate salt was 99.7% and 94.3% respectively from the sulfuric acid solution containing Nd of 23.39 mg/ml and Dy of 8.67 mg/ml. Lastly, from the results of separation of Dy to Nd by the method of sulfate double salt, the effect of salting out with NaCl is important to increase the grade of Dy, and 98.7% of Dy grade could be obtained in this study.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.91-96
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• 2021

Rare earth magnets with excellent magnetic properties are indispensable in the electric device, wind turbine, and e-mobility industries. The demand for the development of eco-friendly recycling techniques has increased to realize sustainable green technology, and the supply of rare earth resources, which are critical for the production of permanent magnets, are limited. Liquid metal extraction (LME), which is a type of pyrometallurgical recycling, is known to selectively extract the metal forms of rare earth elements. Although several studies have been carried out on the formation of intermetallic compounds and oxides, the effect of oxide formation on the extraction efficiency in the LME process remains unknown. In this study, microstructural and phase analyses are conducted to confirm the oxidation behavior of magnets pulverized by a jaw crusher. The LME process is performed with pulverized scrap, and extraction percentages are calculated to confirm the effect of the oxide phases on the extraction of Dy during the reaction. During the L ME process, Nd is completely extracted after 6 h, while Dy remains as Dy₂Fe₁₇ and Dy-oxide. Because the decomposition rate of Dy₂Fe₁₇ is faster than the reduction rate of Dy-oxide, the importance of controlling Dy-oxide on Dy extraction is confirmed.