LCA Study of Rare Earth Metals for Magnesium Alloy Applications

Abstract:

High strength properties combined with low density has made magnesium alloys a highly attractive structural material, in particular where weight savings is of concern. In air and ground transport these alloys are used as alternative material in place of heavier ferrous or aluminium alloys. In this respect, much research has been directed at developing and deploying superior magnesium alloys using rare earth elements (REEs), an example the Mg-RE (Ce, Y, Nd) alloys for drive train components. With the overall aim of ascertaining the environmental impact of employing REEs as alloying agents in producing superior Mg-RE alloys, it is paramount that a fundamental understanding of the environmental burden imparted by the extraction and production of REEs be determined. This study reports on such an assessment of REEs by conducting a detailed life cycle assessment (LCA) study of the environmental impact from mining to production of REEs.

• Periodical: Materials Science Forum (Volumes 654-656)
• Pages: 803-806
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.654-656.803
• Online since: June 2010
• Authors: Paul Koltun, Ambalavanar Tharumarajah
• Keywords: Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Life Cycle Assessment, Magnesium Alloy, Rare Earth (RE)

References

[1] Australian Industry Commission, New and Advanced Materials, Australian Government Publishing Service, Melbourne, March (1995).

[2] Haifeng L, Tong Guodong, Hou Jun, Mat. Sci. Forum Vols., pp.488-489, 2005, online at http: /www. scientific. net © (2005) Trans. Tech. Publications, Switzerland.

[3] Drew, L.J., Meng Qingrun, and Sun Weijun, Inner Mongolia, China: Lithos, v. 26, pp.43-65, (1990).

DOI: 10.1016/0024-4937(90)90040-8

[4] Sinton C. W., BCC Research, Washington, Report, http: /www. lynascorp. com/content/upload/files/press_releases/BCC_FINAL_REPORT. pdf, 14 July (2008).

[5] Hedrick, J. B., 2006 USGS Minerals year book, Rare earths, http: /minerals. usgs. gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/rare_earths/myb1-2006-raree. pdf, Accesses on 28 August (2008).

[6] Hedrick, J. B., 1998 USGS Metal Prices in the United States through 1998 - Rare Earths, http: /minerals. usgs. gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/rare_earths/740798. pdf, Accesses on 28 August (2008).

[7] Biaoguo, Li et al., in: Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Separation Science and Technology, v. 2, pp.532-538, (1989).

[8] Kanazawa Y., Nakajima T., Takagi T., Mining Geol., v. 49, pp.203-216, (1999).

[9] Pre consultants, SimaPro 7. 1, Life cycle inventory database, (2008).