The Dow Chemical Company

William G Green

James E Hillis

William E Mercer, Ii

Harvey L King

Vladimir Petrovich

A method for producing a high purity magnesium alloy is disclosed in which the alloying components are introduced in the molten state into molten magnesium. In accordance with the process of the invention, a predetermined amount of primary magnesium is heated and melted in a crucible. Predetermined amounts of desired alloying metals are selected and heated to their melting temperature in a separate crucible. The molten alloying metals are then introduced into the molten magnesium to substantially instantaneously alloy with the molten magnesium in a reaction raising the temperature of the melt. Elemental manganese when first alloyed with other alloying metals prior to its addition to the molten magnesium is found to consistently be more effective in reducing the iron impurity level of the melt to a level below 50 ppm. The introduction of a molten alloy of manganese and one or more rare earth metals into the molten magnesium, reduces a settling out of the rare earth metal from the melt and increases the alloying efficiency for the rare earth metal to greater than 80%. The efficiency of the process of the invention is substantially increased, the consumption of time and energy is decreased, and the production of magnesium chloride slag and gaseous HCl is avoided.

Methods for producing high purity magnesium alloys

A process for removing iron contamination from molten magnesium by adding to the molten magnesium a mixture of a boron-containing compound and a flux. The boron-containing compound includes, for example, elemental boron, boric acid, and boron oxide. The flux is a conventional magnesium flux. The flux and boron-containing compound mixture is prepared by any suitable means and then added to the molten magnesium at melt temperatures of from about 650.degree. C. to about 700.degree. C. The iron contamination in the magnesium product can be reduced for example from about 400 ppm to less than about 10 ppm.

Composition for removing iron contamination from magnesium

A process for producing magnesium low in iron contamination including contacting a magnesium melt with a combination of a zirconium material and a silicon material to reduce the iron contamination without introducing detrimetal levels of reagent elements in the product magnesium.

Process for producing high purity magnesium

A product and method of manufacture are set forth. The product is used in desulfurizing steel. Magnesium is in its molten state, and with vigorous stirring, a reactant, such as CaC.sub.2 is added. A relatively brittle material is obtained upon cooling which can be ground to a particulate form and used in steel desulfurization. The composite is both a mixture of magnesium and reactant, such as CaC.sub.2, and also includes Mg.sub.2 Ca alloy.

Magnesium and calcium composite

Method for removing iron contamination from magnesium

A product and method of manufacture are set forth. The product is used in desulfurizing steel. Magnesium is in its molten state, and with vigorous stirring, lime is added. A relatively brittle material is obtained upon cooling which can be ground to a particulate form and used in steel desulfurization. The composite is both a mixture of magnesium and lime and also includes Mg.sub.2 Ca alloy.

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Freeport, TX, United States of America

William G Green