**7. Economics of Al-Ce alloys**

As an alloying element used typically in the 1–10% weight range, cerium is relatively inexpensive. Its cost is in the range of \$4–5/lb. and is widely available. The as-alloyed cost of Al-Ce material is competitive with other high-performance aluminum alloy systems. Further cost reduction in Ce is enabled by direct metallothermic reduction of cerium oxide. Luna [20] directly reduced the oxide on a laboratory scale in aluminum alloys containing between 0.5 and 4.0 wt.% Mg. This technique is now being developed on a commercial scale.
