Application of rare-earth element Y in refining impure copper

The effects of rare-earth element Y in refining impure copper were investigated in this paper. The composition, microstructures, and corrosion resistance properties of impure copper before and after refinement with Y were investigated using direct-reading spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and potentiodynamic polariza- tion measurements. The results show that the concentrations of impurities S, As, Sb, Bi, A1, Cd, and Se are remarkably decreased. Adding an appropriate amount of Y refines the microstructure and enhances the corrosion resistance properties of impure copper in HC1 solution via a purification effect. The formation enthalpies of compounds formed between Y and various impurity elements were calculated on the basis of Miedema＇s theory. The thermodynamic mechanisms of the refinement of impure copper by Y were also discussed.