Recovery of Neodymium from Neodymium Magnet Using Bismuth

Experiments were conducted to extract neodymium in bismuth by melting Fe-Nd-B magnets and bismuth together in a graphite crucible at 1200 degrees C. Molten iron and bismuth separated into two phases, and neodymium in the magnet dissolved in the bismuth phase. Neodymium dissolved in bismuth was considered to form BiNd as a result of XRD. The neodymium concentration in iron phase after the dissolution treatment was 0.05 at.% or less,and the recovery rate was 99% and more. Compared to other metals (Mg, Ag, Cu) that separate into two phases with respect to molten iron, bismuth can be said to be a metal extraction material with a low melting point, safety and low energy cost.