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Alloy information helps prioritize material criticality lists

Author

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  • T. E. Graedel

    (Yale University)

  • Barbara K. Reck

    (Yale University)

  • Alessio Miatto

    (Yale University)

Abstract

Materials scientists employ metals and alloys that involve most of the periodic table. Nonetheless, materials scientists rarely take material criticality and reuse potential into account. In this work, we expand upon lists of “critical materials” generated by national and regional governments by showing that many materials are employed predominantly as alloying elements, which can be a deterrent to recovery and reuse at end of product life and, likely as a consequence, have low functional end-of-life recycling rates, among other problematic characteristics. We thereby single out six metals for enhanced concern: dysprosium, samarium, vanadium, niobium, tellurium, and gallium. From that perspective, the use of critical metals in low concentrations in alloys unlikely to be routinely recycled should be avoided if possible. If not, provision should be made for better identification and more efficient recycling so that materials designated as critical can have increased potential for more than a single functional use.

Suggested Citation

  • T. E. Graedel & Barbara K. Reck & Alessio Miatto, 2022. "Alloy information helps prioritize material criticality lists," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-27829-w
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27829-w
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Erin McCullough & Nedal T. Nassar, 2017. "Assessment of critical minerals: updated application of an early-warning screening methodology," Mineral Economics, Springer;Raw Materials Group (RMG);Luleå University of Technology, vol. 30(3), pages 257-272, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Alessio Miatto & Nargessadat Emami & Kylie Goodwin & James West & Mohammad Sadegh Taskhiri & Thomas Wiedmann & Heinz Schandl, 2024. "Australia's circular economy metrics and indicators," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 28(2), pages 216-231, April.
    2. Oliver Heidrich & Alistair C. Ford & Richard J. Dawson & David A. C. Manning & Eugene Mohareb & Marco Raugei & Joris Baars & Mohammad Ali Rajaeifar, 2022. "LAYERS: A Decision-Support Tool to Illustrate and Assess the Supply and Value Chain for the Energy Transition," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-19, June.
    3. Thomas E. Graedel & Alessio Miatto, 2022. "Alloy Profusion, Spice Metals, and Resource Loss by Design," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-12, June.
    4. Jessie E. Bradley & Willem L. Auping & René Kleijn & Jan H. Kwakkel & Benjamin Sprecher, 2024. "Reassessing tin circularity and criticality," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 28(2), pages 232-246, April.
    5. Daniel M. Franks & Julia Keenan & Degol Hailu, 2023. "Mineral security essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 21-27, January.

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