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Analysis of the Use of Rare-Earth Metals in Ferrous Metallurgy in Russia and the World

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Abstract

The current state of production of rare-earth metals (REMs) in Russia and in the world is analyzed. Data on REM production in different countries of the world and on new foreign REM production and processing projects are given. The balance of production, export, and import of raw materials and products with REMs in Russia, including scandium and yttrium, is presented. The maximum volume of REM consumption in Russia is calculated considering imported products with REMs. These data are compared with other countries, including the former Soviet Union. Much attention is paid to REM use in metallurgy. Data on REM influence on cast iron and steel properties are given. Data on the used forms of REMs are given for their use in Russian ferrous metallurgy. The structure of REM consumption by branches of ferrous and nonferrous metallurgy is investigated. The structure of REM consumption for steel alloying by types and areas of its application is studied by the example of two enterprises (one of them specializes in mass production and the other, in special steels). The peculiarities of REM consumption development in Russia’s ferrous metallurgy are investigated, the consumption volume is calculated, data on the import of raw materials with REMs for metallurgy is presented, and information on the producers of REM ferroalloys in Russia is given. The line of ferrous metallurgy products with REMs is analyzed. REM consumption in metallurgy of Russia and foreign countries is compared. The reasons for insufficient REM consumption in Russian metallurgy are considered, the change in production volumes of certain types of steel and cast iron is estimated, and recommendations on growth of REM consumption in metallurgy are developed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Central Research Institute for Ferrous Metallurgy, 105005, Moscow, Russia

    A. I. Volkov, P. E. Stulov, L. I. Leont’ev & V. A. Uglov

  2. Institute of Metallurgy, Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 620016, Ekaterinburg, Russia

    L. I. Leont’ev

  3. National University of Science and Technology MiSIS, 119049, Moscow, Russia

    L. I. Leont’ev

  4. Presidium of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991, Moscow, Russia

    L. I. Leont’ev

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  1. A. I. Volkov
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  2. P. E. Stulov
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  3. L. I. Leont’ev
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  4. V. A. Uglov
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Translated by O. Pismenov

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Volkov, A.I., Stulov, P.E., Leont’ev, L.I. et al. Analysis of the Use of Rare-Earth Metals in Ferrous Metallurgy in Russia and the World. Steel Transl. 50, 363–374 (2020). https://doi.org/10.3103/S0967091220060108

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