Metal nonferrous

Alloys with other useful properties can be obtained by using yttrium as an additive. The metal can be used as a deoxidizer for vanadium and other nonferrous metals. The metal has a low cross section for nuclear capture. 90Y, one of the isotopes of yttrium, exists in equilibrium with its parent 90Sr, a product of nuclear explosions. Yttrium has been considered for use as a nodulizer for producing nodular cast iron, in which the graphite forms compact nodules instead of the usual flakes. Such iron has increased ductility. 

When processing municipal solid wastes, an eddy current separation unit is often used to separate aluminum and other nonferrous metals from the waste stream. This is done after removal of the ferrous metals (see Fig. 1). The eddy current separator produces an electromagnetic field through which the waste passes. The nonferrous metals produce currents having a magnetic moment that is phased to repel the moment of the appHed magnetic field. This repulsion causes the nonferrous metals to be thrown out of the process stream away from nonmetallic objects (13). 

Another separation device that may be used is the mineral jig. This unit produces a loose vibrating bed of particles in a Hquid medium. The vibrations segregate the soHds into layers of density. The dense nonferrous metals, primarily lead, 2inc, and copper are at the bottom while organics are at the top. The middle layer is primarily glass. 

Environmental Aspects. More than two-thirds of aluminum cans are recaptured and returned for recycling into more cans. Because of the heat of melting, the use of post-consumer recycled cans is safe for beverage contents. Not only does recycling save on mass of materials, it also saves the energy of manufacture from aluminum ore (see Recycling, nonferrous metals). 

Open-Arc Furnaces. Most of the open-arc furnaces are used in melting and refining operations for steel and iron (Fig. 1). Although most furnaces have three electrodes and operate utilizing three-phase a-c power to be compatible with power transmission systems, d-c furnaces are becoming more common. Open-arc furnaces are also used in melting operations for nonferrous metals (particularly copper), slag, refractories, and other less volatile materials. 

Rust inhibitors usually are corrosion inhibitors that have a high polar attraction toward metal surfaces and that form a tenacious, continuous film which prevents water from reaching the metal surface. Typical mst inhibitors are amine succinates and alkaline-earth sulfonates. Rust inhibitors can be used in most types of lubricating oils, but factors of selection include possible corrosion of nonferrous metals or formation of emulsions with water. Because mst inhibitors are adsorbed on metal surfaces, an oil can be depleted of its mst inhibitor. In certain cases, it is possible to correct the depletion by adding more inhibitor. 

Secondary Lead. The emphasis in technological development for the lead industry in the 1990s is on secondary or recycled lead. Recovery from scrap is an important source for the lead demands of the United States and the test of the world. In the United States, over 70% of the lead requirements are satisfied by recycled lead products. The ratio of secondary to primary lead increases with increasing lead consumption for batteries. WeU-organized collecting channels are requited for a stable future for lead (see BATTERIES, SECONDARY CELLS Recycling NONFERROUS METALS). 

Nonferrous Metal Data 1992, American Bureau of Metals Statistics Inc., New York. 

Fluxing lime is lump or pebble quicklime used as flux in steel (qv) manufacture the term may also be appHed more broadly to include fluxing of nonferrous metals and glass (qv). It is a type of chemical lime. 

Codification of Certaki Nonferrous Metals and Alloys, Cast and Wrought," specification no. ANSI/ASTM Annual Book ofASTM... 

P. M. Unterweiser, Worldwide Guide to Equivalent Nonferrous Metals andMllojs, 2nd ed., ASM International, Materials Park, Ohio, 1987. 

Roasting ofSulRdes. Most nonferrous metals occur in nature mainly as sulfides. These cannot be easily reduced directly to the metal. Burning metallic sulfides in air transforms them into oxides or sulfates which are more easily reduced. The sulfur is released as sulfur dioxide, as shown by the foHowing typical reaction for a divalent metal, M ... 

Chlorination. In some instances, the extraction of a pure metal is more easily achieved from the chloride than from the oxide. Oxide ores and concentrates react at high temperature with chlorine gas to produce volatile chlorides of the metal. This reaction can be used for common nonferrous metals, but it is particularly useful for refractory metals like titanium (see Titanium and titanium alloys) and 2irconium (see Zirconium and zirconium compounds), and for reactive metals like aluminum. 

Many nonferrous metals can be extracted by reduction smelting, eg, copper, tin, nickel, cobalt, silver, antimony, and bismuth. Blast furnaces are sometimes used for the smelting of copper or tin, but flash and reverberatory furnaces are more common for metals other than lead. 

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