Open Access Spotlight: Sustainable metallurgy and material characterisation
Showcasing the latest freely accessible research from across the IOM3 journals portfolio.
The Open Access Spotlight is a new regular feature in Journal News, sharing recently available Open Access research from across the IOM3 journals portfolio. This monthly round‑up highlights research that is freely available to read and reflects the commitment IOM3 holds to widening access, strengthening knowledge exchange and promoting open research practices across materials, minerals and mining.
IOM3 members also receive free online access (login required) to all IOM3 publications, along with more than 70 additional titles from Sage’s engineering and materials science portfolio, complementing the Open Access content featured here.
• Precipitation of Sr-rich and Fe-rich intermetallic compounds in Al alloys
Materials Science and Technology Vol. 42, No. 4
Ufuk Sahin, John Campbell, David N Brown, William D Griffiths
pp. 404–415
DOI: 10.1177/02670836241302686
The study examined intermetallic compound formation in A356 aluminium alloy using a surface‑based analytical approach that avoided conventional metallography. Oxide bifilms suspended in the melt were identified as key nucleation sites, with Sr‑rich and Fe‑rich phases sometimes precipitating on opposite wetted faces. Nanotomography revealed that IMC‑laden bifilms sediment rapidly, indicating a potential mechanism for removing bifilms and heavy‑metal contaminants during secondary aluminium processing.
• Application of deep eutectic solvents for dissolution of sulphide ores: Review
Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy Vol. 135, No. 1
Rudzani Nepfumbada, Endazenaw Bizuneh Chemere, Mapula Lucey Mavhungu
pp. 14–29
DOI: 10.1177/25726641251391509
Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are emerging biodegradable and low‑cost media that have attracted interest for dissolving metal oxides and sulphide ores. While pyrite dissolves effectively in choline‑chloride‑based DESs, arsenopyrite shows more limited dissolution despite their similar thermodynamic behaviour. The review suggests that arsenopyrite can still be leached in DESs under atmospheric pressure and relatively low temperatures through direct dissolution pathways.
• Electrolytic production of manganese dioxide with regeneration of ferrous iron
Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy Vol. 135, No. 1
Mbuyu Ntunka, Brian Loveday
pp. 30–44
DOI: 10.1177/25726641251390973
This study demonstrates an electrochemical method for producing high‑purity pyrolusite‑type MnO₂ while simultaneously regenerating Fe²⁺ in a divided electrolytic cell. Increasing current density enhanced Fe²⁺ regeneration, lowered cell voltage, and reduced overall energy consumption, with polarization analysis highlighting distinct behaviours between Fe³⁺ reduction and hydrogen evolution. The approach offers a lower‑cost, more energy‑efficient, and environmentally sustainable alternative to conventional MnO₂ production, supporting advances in electrochemical technologies for battery materials.
• Locally accessible Ficus vasta and Ficus sycomorus leaves for adsorption of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution
Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy Vol. 135, No. 1
Endazenaw Bizuneh Chemere, Mapula Lucey Mavhungu, Washington Mhike
pp. 45–56
DOI: 10.1177/25726641251398248
This study assessed the ability of Ficus vasta and Ficus sycomorus leaves to remove Cr(VI) through batch biosorption experiments, achieving removal efficiencies of 88.89% and 91.97% under optimal acidic conditions. Surface and structural analyses (SEM, BET and FTIR) confirmed porous morphologies and functional groups responsible for Cr(VI) binding, with adsorption behaviour fitting both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. Kinetic results aligned with a pseudo‑second‑order model, indicating chemisorption and supporting the use of these low‑cost biomaterials for Cr(VI) remediation.
• A comparative two-stage, low temperature extraction of silica and alumina from coal fly ash to facilitate acid leaching of rare earth elements
Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy Vol. 135, No. 1
Theophilus Ile Ojonimi, Janne Pesonen, Ferdinard Asuke, Ramalan Aliyu Mohammed, Kasim Auwal, Tao Hu, Ilemona Okeme
pp. 57–68
DOI: 10.1177/25726641251401706
Coal fly ash was treated using a two-stage low-temperature NaOH roasting–leaching process to promote silica extraction as a preparatory step for rare-earth element recovery. Nigerian CFA samples were roasted with NaOH at 100–300 °C and subsequently leached with NaOH solution at room temperature. Optimum silica extractions of 16.31%, 16.81% and 17.84% were achieved for samples roasted at 100, 200 and 300 °C respectively, with extraction increasing progressively with roasting temperature. The results indicate that low-temperature NaOH roasting enhances silica removal from the aluminosilicate matrix, which may facilitate subsequent REE extraction.
• Comparison of methods for the estimation of Young’s moduli and structural loss factor of wood, applied to guitar soundboards made of Adirondack spruce
International Wood Products Journal Vol. 17, No. 1
Raphael Jeanvoine, Kerem Ege, Olivier Robin
pp. 28–44
DOI: 10.1177/20426445251398902
Standardised mechanical‑testing methods, originally designed for isotropic metals, are poorly suited to orthotropic, spatially variable materials such as spruce soundboards. Using twelve quarter‑sawn Adirondack spruce plates, several approaches for estimating Young’s modulus and structural loss factor were compared, highlighting trade‑offs in cost, practicality and result variability. The work also validates an asymptotic mobility‑based method for such lightweight structures and confirms the significant influence of sensor mass through comparisons with aluminium and MDF panels.
