Molten Metal Refining (MINT)
Molten Metal Refining (MINT) is a relatively recent process for purifying metallic elements from alloys, scrap and other sources. The MINT process involves immersing the material to be refined in a bath of molten metal, typically zinc, at a temperature of around 500°C. The materials are held in the bath at this high temperature until all the impurities have been removed, leaving behind a purified metal that is typically 99.9% pure or higher.
The MINT process was developed in the late 1980s as a response to an increasing need for the production of higher quality and consistent metals. By using the MINT process, manufacturers and recyclers are better able to produce metals with fewer impurities and therefore achieve higher purity levels than traditional refining methods.
The MINT process begins with the melting of the source material. This is done by increasing the temperature of the bath to around 500°C. The material is then iterated for an extended period of time, typically several hours, in order to allow the impurities to rise to the surface of the bath and be skimmed off. As the process continues, more and more of the impurities are removed from the bath, leaving behind a pure, highly refined metal.
After the impurities have been completely removed from the molten bath, the metal is solidified. This is typically done by pouring the molten bath into a cast iron casting machine to create a solid ingot. The ingot is then quenched in cold water to prevent oxidation and achieve maximum purity levels.
The MINT process is used primarily in the aerospace, automotive, and electronics industries as a means of producing metals with superior purity levels. The process offers numerous advantages over traditional methods of refining metals such as lower operating costs, better yields, reduced waste, and improved safety. Moreover, the MINT process is also considered environmentally friendly due to its low emission levels and the reusability of its molten baths.
In conclusion, the MINT process is a relatively new refining process for metals that has been increasingly used in recent years. By using this process, manufacturers and recyclers are better able to achieve higher purity levels and produce metals with fewer impurities. Furthermore, the process also offers numerous advantages over traditional refining methods including lower operating costs, better yields, reduced waste, and improved safety.
