Inventors:
Barry A. Mikucki - Lake Jackson TX
James E. Hillis - Angleton TX
Assignee:
The Dow Chemical Company - Midland MI
International Classification:
C22B 2622
Abstract:
Hydrogen is essentially removed from molten magnesium by the use of a degassing step, thereby substantially avoiding the formation of zirconium hydride when zirconium and silicon are added to the molten magnesium, after the degassing, in order to precipitate iron contamination in the magnesium as an intermetallic compound comprising Fe, Zr, and Si; the ratio of the three metals in the intermetallic compound can vary over a wide range. By essentially avoiding the formation of slow-settling insoluble ZrH. sub. 2, the iron removal is more efficient and the settling of the insolubles is expedited. Also, the Fe and Si are more effectively and consistently precipitated.