Fabrication of rare-earth metals by metallothermic reduction: Thermodynamic modeling and practical realization

The thermodynamics of metallothermic reduction of rare earths was analyzed with different reductants and initial starting compounds. Alkali metals and calcium were found as the most suitable reagents for reducing rare earth fluorides. Thermodynamic calculations showed the advantages of lithium as the reducing agent. Processes of metallothermic reduction of neodymium, lanthanum, and cerium fluorides by lithium metal were studied on a semi-industrial scale.