Patent ID: 9525176
Filing Date: 2016-12-20
CPC Classification: C22C,H01M,Y02E,Y02P

Claim Text:
1. A method of making a rare earth-based alloy, comprising carbothermically reducing an oxide selected from the group consisting of La-containing oxide, a Ce-containing oxide, and MM-containing oxide in the presence of carbon as a reducing agent and a source of a reactant element X at a temperature less than about 1800 degrees C. wherein X is selected from the group consisting of Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, As, Sb, Bi, and P to achieve substantial completion of the carbothermic reduction reaction to form a low carbon alloy that comprises a majority of a rare earth element selected from the group consisting of La, Ce, and MM, a minor amount of X present in an amount of about 1 weight % to 18 weight % of the alloy, and a low carbon content in an amount of about 2 weight % or less of the alloy.