The research investigates the process of synthesis of magnesium master alloy with zinc and yttrium. Based on the analysis of state diagrams and requirements for fluxes for smelting of magnesium alloys, the composition of the saline mixture was chosen. X-ray phase analysis of the molten salt mixture showed that during the melting process, yttrium fluoride partially interacted with sodium and potassium chlorides, forming complex salts: Na 1.5 Y 2.5 F 9 , NaYF 4 , Na 5 Y 9 F 32 , and KY 7 F 22 , which are the source for yttrium recovery. Differential thermal analysis (DTA) determined the temperature ranges and values of thermal effects of melting and crystallization of a mixture of the KCl-NaCl-CaCl 2 -YF 3 salt in the recovery of yttrium compounds by a magnesium-zinc alloy. It was determined that interaction within the system begins at a temperature equal to the initial melting point of zinc, and occurs in the range from 415°C to 672°C. As a result of series of experimental meltings, the basic laws of the synthesis of magnesium-zinc-yttrium master alloys from the selected technological salt mixture, as well as the main factors of the metallothermic process, affecting the degree of yttrium reduction were revealed. The metallographic study of the alloys obtained showed that the samples consisted of solid solutions of Mg x Zn y and intermetallic compounds of Mg x Y y Zn z , which were located along the boundaries of dendritic cells. The proposed method of recovery of yttrium fluoride from the chloride melt allows extracting up to 97.2 % of yttrium.
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