A New Process of Manufacturing “Oxygen-free” Gd

“Oxygen-free” Gd was fabricated by hydrogen plasma arc melting (HPAM). The HPAM is more different than the traditional Ar plasma arc melting (PAM) in Oxygen removal. It is attributable to the hydrogen atoms dissociated and activated in high temperature HPAM. In addition an increased diffusion of oxygen in Gd-O solid solution to the surface also plays an important role in removal of oxygen. The substances are confirmed by optical emission spectroscopy (OES), which are involved in the plasma like Ar I, Ar II and H I and some possible reactions. The effect of H with thermodynamic estimation was discussed in detail.