SYNTHESIS OF NEODYMIUM ALUMINIDE BY ALUMINOTHERMIC REDUCTION OF NEODYMIUM OXIDE

Neodymium aluminide was synthesized from Nd2O3 under vacuum by alumino thermic reduction in an induction furnace. Although the standard free energy change associated with the reduction of Nd2O3 by Al is positive , due to the formation reaction of the intermetallic compound, it was possible to drive the reaction in the forward direction in the presenc e of excess Al. An attempt was also made to reduce Nd2O3 by Al in the thermit process in the presence of the Fe2O3-Al thermit mixture so as to make the reaction self-sustaining. A comparison between these two p rocesses was made with respect to the reduction of Nd2O3 by Al. Differ ential thermal analysis (DTA) was used to study the reaction process. The product was characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), x-ray fluore scence (XRF), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), and optical metallo graphy (OM).