Method for producing a metal alloy

Abstract

A method for producing a metal alloy includes the steps of: (A) preparing a first melt containing a base metal which has not been alloyed; (B) preparing a second melt containing a base metal and at least one alloying element, the base metals in the first and second melts being the same; and (C) mixing the first and second melts to dilute the concentration of the alloying element.

1 . A method for producing a metal alloy, comprising: 
 (A) preparing a first melt containing a base metal which has not been alloyed;    (B) preparing a second melt containing a base metal and at least one alloying element, the base metals in the first and second melts being the same; and    (C) mixing the first and second melts to dilute the concentration of the alloying element.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the steps of (A), (B), and (C) are carried out in a single enclosed space.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising using first and second furnaces in the enclosed space, the second furnace being disposed on top of the first furnace.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein step (A) is first carried out in the second furnace, the method further comprising the step of delivering the base metal of the first melt from the second furnace to the first furnace before carrying out step (B).  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein step (B) is carried out in the second furnace, and step (C) is carried out in the first furnace, the method further comprising the step of delivering the second melt from the second furnace to the first melt in the first furnace before step (C).  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the base metal has a high degree of purity.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the base metal is a nonferrous metal.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the nonferrous metal is copper.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the alloying element is selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, and silver.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the alloying element is selected from the group consisting of magnesium and calcium.