Dr.-Ing. Alexander Arnold, M. Sc. Ksenija Milicevic, M. Sc. Frederic Brinkmann, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dr. h.c. B. Friedrich
In this paper the results of thermochemical study on scandium production by calcium and calciumzinc
alloys as reduction agents are presented. Possible system components, reaction mechanisms,
concentration ratios of charge components, as well choice of temperature ranges for those multicomponent
systems, are investigated by triangulation and tetraedration with help of software
FactSage®.
The conditions for maximum ensured scandium (Sc) yield from Sc2O3 and ScF3 compounds are
listed to compare potentials of Sc production processes. Sc2O3 cannot be reduced directly by Calcium,
but with Ca-Zn alloy. Minimum consumption of calcium and zinc as well maximum scandium
content in product is reached by Ca-Zn alloy with 3 : 2 ratios. Next to pure calcium, it is possible to
reduce ScF3 also by Ca-Zn alloy where scandium content in product decreases with increase of zinc
proportion in reducing alloy.