Recovery of Rare Earth Elements through Spent NdFeB Magnet Oxidation (First Part)

Due to their remarkable magnetic properties, such as a high maximum energy product, remanence, and coercivity, NdFeB magnets are used in variety of technological applications. Because very limited recycling, numbers spent widely available the market. In addition China’s monopoly on supply most rare earth elements, there is need for recovery these critical metals, import price poses an economic environmental challenge manufacturers. This paper proposes pyrometallurgical recycling method end-of-life by oxidizing them air first required step. The main goal this oxidize elements from order prepare carbothermic reduction. experimental conditions, oxidation temperature time, were studied establish phase transformation during using Factsage Database conditions. Our thermogravimetric analysis TGA revealed increased sample mass 35% between room 1100 °C, which close total calculated theoretical value oxygen (36.8% all only 3.6% REE), confirming complete material. obtained quantitative (%), demonstrated values 53.41 Fe2O3, 10.37 Fe3O4; 16.45 NdFeO3; 0.45 Nd2O3, 1.28 Dy2O3, 1.07 Pr2O3, 5.22 α-Fe.