Industrial production of magnesium alloys with rare earth metals has begun in Russia. The project was implemented by the Solikamsk Magnesium Plant (SMP), an enterprise of Rosatom's mining division.
The plant has mastered magnesium alloys with neodymium, cerium, and lanthanum. Such materials are classified as "green engineering" due to their low weight and suitability for recycling. Lightness and strength allow reducing the weight of structures and increasing the energy efficiency of equipment.
The alloys are intended for the aerospace industry, automotive industry, energy sector, and oil and gas industry. Light rare earth additives increase resistance to loads and extend the service life of parts, which is important for complex components and power plants.
As a reminder, SMP has been producing magnesium since 1936. Since 1958, the company has been extracting rare earth metals from loparite concentrate. Currently, the plant produces 100% of rare earth element compounds, niobium, and tantalum in the country, 75% of magnesium, and 4% of titanium.
