2026 Rhamdani Aluminothermic Lanthanum Oxide

Rare earth elements (REEs), particularly lanthanum (La), are gaining attention as alloying agents to enhance the properties of aluminum. This study aims to explore the process of aluminothermic reduction of lanthanum oxide (La2O3) using aluminum as a reductant. A systematic investigation was conducted through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements combined with microstructural analysis. The results indicate that the reactions between aluminum and La2O3 are rapid, completing within approximately 15 minutes for a mixture containing Al–10 wt pct La2O3. The final products include a mixture of aluminum, aluminum oxide, and Al11La3. The reaction mechanism was further delineated using DSC for Al–50 wt pct La2O3 mixtures, revealing a complex multi-step pathway involving transformations of La2O3 into Al7La33O60, AlLaO3, and Al11LaO18. Kinetic analysis suggests the reaction is limited by diffusion. Overall, this study demonstrates the efficacy of metallothermic reduction as a viable method for producing aluminum-rare earth alloys, highlighting its potential for developing advanced materials with superior properties.