Mischmetal

From Sciencemadness Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search

Mischmetal is an alloy produced from electrolysis of mixed rare-earth metals, with the exact composition depending on the origin of the source material. The majority of mischmetal consists of lanthanum and cerium, with smaller amounts of praseodymium, neodymium, and samarium. All of the other stable rare earths are present in some quantity.

Properties

Mischmetal is extremely prone to corrosion, and sparks dramatically when struck, throwing out globs of molten metal.

When alloyed with iron and some added metal oxides the harder alloy ferrocerium is formed, which is commonly used in "flints."

Projects

  • Make sparks

Handling

Safety

Mischmetal will corrode in moist air.

Storage

In closed containers.

Disposal

Best to try to recycle it.

References

Relevant Sciencemadness threads