Rare Metal
Shifon International Co.Rare Metals or Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are a group of seventeen chemical elements that have unique properties and are vital in various modern technologies. These elements are not commonly found in concentrated, economically viable forms, making their extraction and use challenging. Some of the most well-known REEs include elements like Scandium, Yttrium, Lanthanum, and others. Below are brief details about some of these elements:
Scandium
Atomic Number: 21
Symbol: Sc
History: Named after Scandia (Latin for Scandinavia), where the first rare earth ore was discovered.
Applications/Uses: Used in light aluminium-scandium alloys for aerospace components, and as an additive in mercury-vapor lamps.
Yttrium
Atomic Number: 39
Symbol: Y
History: Named after the village of Ytterby, Sweden, where the first rare earth ore was found.
Applications/Uses: Used in yttrium-aluminium garnet (YAG) lasers, YBCO high-temperature superconductors, and various types of phosphors.
Symbol: Y
History: Named after the village of Ytterby, Sweden, where the first rare earth ore was found.
Applications/Uses: Used in yttrium-aluminium garnet (YAG) lasers, YBCO high-temperature superconductors, and various types of phosphors.
Lanthanum
Atomic Number: 57
Symbol: La
History: From the Greek lanthanein, meaning “to be hidden.”
Applications/Uses: Used in high refractive index glass, hydrogen storage, battery electrodes, and as a catalyst in oil refineries.
Symbol: La
History: From the Greek lanthanein, meaning “to be hidden.”
Applications/Uses: Used in high refractive index glass, hydrogen storage, battery electrodes, and as a catalyst in oil refineries.
Cerium
Atomic Number: 58
Symbol: Ce
History: Named after the dwarf planet Ceres, which was named after the Roman goddess of agriculture.
Applications/Uses: Used as a chemical oxidizing agent, polishing powder, in catalytic converters, and ferrocerium flints for lighters.
Symbol: Ce
History: Named after the dwarf planet Ceres, which was named after the Roman goddess of agriculture.
Applications/Uses: Used as a chemical oxidizing agent, polishing powder, in catalytic converters, and ferrocerium flints for lighters.
Praseodymium
Atomic Number: 59
Symbol: Pr
History: From the Greek prasios (leek-green) and didymos (twin).
Applications/Uses: Used in rare-earth magnets, lasers, and as a colorant in glasses and ceramics.
Symbol: Pr
History: From the Greek prasios (leek-green) and didymos (twin).
Applications/Uses: Used in rare-earth magnets, lasers, and as a colorant in glasses and ceramics.
Neodymium
Atomic Number: 60
Symbol: Nd
History: From the Greek neos (new) and didymos (twin).
Applications/Uses: Known for its use in rare-earth magnets, lasers, and high-performance motors.
Symbol: Nd
History: From the Greek neos (new) and didymos (twin).
Applications/Uses: Known for its use in rare-earth magnets, lasers, and high-performance motors.
Promethium
Atomic Number: 61
Symbol: Pm
History: Named after the Titan Prometheus, who brought fire to humanity.
Applications/Uses: Primarily used in nuclear batteries.
Symbol: Pm
History: Named after the Titan Prometheus, who brought fire to humanity.
Applications/Uses: Primarily used in nuclear batteries.
Samarium
Atomic Number: 62
Symbol: Sm
History: Named after Vasili Samarsky-Bykhovets, who discovered the ore samarskite.
Applications/Uses: Used in rare-earth magnets, lasers, and neutron capture technologies.
Symbol: Sm
History: Named after Vasili Samarsky-Bykhovets, who discovered the ore samarskite.
Applications/Uses: Used in rare-earth magnets, lasers, and neutron capture technologies.
Europium
Atomic Number: 63
Symbol: Eu
History: Named after the continent of Europe.
Applications/Uses: Used in red and blue phosphors, lasers, and mercury-vapor lamps.
Symbol: Eu
History: Named after the continent of Europe.
Applications/Uses: Used in red and blue phosphors, lasers, and mercury-vapor lamps.
Gadolinium
Atomic Number: 64
Symbol: Gd
History: Named after Johan Gadolin, who contributed to the study of rare earths.
Applications/Uses: Used in MRI contrast agents, neutron capture, and as a component in rare-earth magnets.
Symbol: Gd
History: Named after Johan Gadolin, who contributed to the study of rare earths.
Applications/Uses: Used in MRI contrast agents, neutron capture, and as a component in rare-earth magnets.
Terbium
Atomic Number: 65
Symbol: Tb
History: Named after the village of Ytterby, Sweden.
Applications/Uses: Used in green phosphors, lasers, and fluorescent lamps.
Symbol: Tb
History: Named after the village of Ytterby, Sweden.
Applications/Uses: Used in green phosphors, lasers, and fluorescent lamps.
Dysprosium
Atomic Number: 66
Symbol: Dy
History: From the Greek dysprositos, meaning “hard to get.”
Applications/Uses: Utilized in rare-earth magnets and laser technologies.
Symbol: Dy
History: From the Greek dysprositos, meaning “hard to get.”
Applications/Uses: Utilized in rare-earth magnets and laser technologies.
Holmium
Atomic Number: 67
Symbol: Ho
History: Named after Stockholm (Latin: Holmia).
Applications/Uses: Primarily used in lasers.
Symbol: Ho
History: Named after Stockholm (Latin: Holmia).
Applications/Uses: Primarily used in lasers.
Erbium
Atomic Number: 68
Symbol: Er
History: Named after the village of Ytterby, Sweden.
Applications/Uses: Commonly used in lasers and in vanadium steel.
Symbol: Er
History: Named after the village of Ytterby, Sweden.
Applications/Uses: Commonly used in lasers and in vanadium steel.
Thulium
Atomic Number: 69
Symbol: Tm
History: Named after the mythological land of Thule.
Applications/Uses: Used in portable X-ray machines.
Symbol: Tm
History: Named after the mythological land of Thule.
Applications/Uses: Used in portable X-ray machines.
Ytterbium
Atomic Number: 70
Symbol: Yb
History: Named after the village of Ytterby, Sweden.
Applications/Uses: Used in infrared lasers and as a chemical reducing agent.
Symbol: Yb
History: Named after the village of Ytterby, Sweden.
Applications/Uses: Used in infrared lasers and as a chemical reducing agent.
Lutetium
Atomic Number: 71
Symbol: Lu
History: Named after Lutetia, the ancient name of Paris.
Applications/Uses: Used in PET scan detectors and high refractive index glass.
Symbol: Lu
History: Named after Lutetia, the ancient name of Paris.
Applications/Uses: Used in PET scan detectors and high refractive index glass.
Iridium
Atomic Number: 77
Symbol: Ir
Rarity: 1 ppb
History: Discovered in 1803 and named after the Greek goddess Iris.
Applications/Uses: Used in electronics, spark plugs, and chemical catalysts.
Symbol: Ir
Rarity: 1 ppb
History: Discovered in 1803 and named after the Greek goddess Iris.
Applications/Uses: Used in electronics, spark plugs, and chemical catalysts.
Rhodium
Atomic Number: 45
Symbol: Rh
Rarity: 1 ppb
History: Discovered in 1803 and named for the rose-colored compounds it forms.
Applications/Uses: Used in catalytic converters, glass industry, and nuclear reactors.
Symbol: Rh
Rarity: 1 ppb
History: Discovered in 1803 and named for the rose-colored compounds it forms.
Applications/Uses: Used in catalytic converters, glass industry, and nuclear reactors.
Ruthenium
Atomic Number: 44
Symbol: Ru
Rarity: 1 ppb
History: Discovered in 1844 and named after Ruthenia (ancient Russia).
Applications/Uses: Used for electrical contacts and platinum alloys.
Symbol: Ru
Rarity: 1 ppb
History: Discovered in 1844 and named after Ruthenia (ancient Russia).
Applications/Uses: Used for electrical contacts and platinum alloys.
Tellurium
Atomic Number: 52
Symbol: Te
Rarity: 1 ppb
History: Discovered in 1782 and named after the Latin word for “earth” (tellus).
Applications/Uses: Used in alloys, improving the machinability of metals like copper and lead.
Symbol: Te
Rarity: 1 ppb
History: Discovered in 1782 and named after the Latin word for “earth” (tellus).
Applications/Uses: Used in alloys, improving the machinability of metals like copper and lead.
Osmium
Atomic Number: 76
Symbol: Os
Rarity: 1.5 ppb
History: Discovered in 1803 and named from the Greek osme (meaning “smell”).
Applications/Uses: Used in alloys for extreme durability and hardness.
Symbol: Os
Rarity: 1.5 ppb
History: Discovered in 1803 and named from the Greek osme (meaning “smell”).
Applications/Uses: Used in alloys for extreme durability and hardness.
Gold
Atomic Number: 79
Symbol: Au
Rarity: 4 ppb
History: Known since ancient times, gold has been a precious metal used for currency and jewelry.
Applications/Uses: Used in investment, jewelry, electronics, and medicine.
Symbol: Au
Rarity: 4 ppb
History: Known since ancient times, gold has been a precious metal used for currency and jewelry.
Applications/Uses: Used in investment, jewelry, electronics, and medicine.
Platinum
Atomic Number: 78
Symbol: Pt
Rarity: 5 ppb
History: Named from the Spanish platina, meaning “little silver.”
Applications/Uses: Used in catalytic converters, laboratory equipment, and jewelry.
Symbol: Pt
Rarity: 5 ppb
History: Named from the Spanish platina, meaning “little silver.”
Applications/Uses: Used in catalytic converters, laboratory equipment, and jewelry.
Bismuth
Atomic Number: 83
Symbol: Bi
Rarity: 8.5 ppb
History: Bismuth has been known since ancient times, and its name possibly derives from Arabic bi ismid.
Applications/Uses: Used in pharmaceuticals, pigments, cosmetics, and metallurgy.
Symbol: Bi
Rarity: 8.5 ppb
History: Bismuth has been known since ancient times, and its name possibly derives from Arabic bi ismid.
Applications/Uses: Used in pharmaceuticals, pigments, cosmetics, and metallurgy.
Palladium
Atomic Number: 46
Symbol: Pd
Rarity: 15 ppb
History: Discovered in 1803 by William Hyde Wollaston, named after the asteroid Pallas.
Applications/Uses: Used in catalytic converters, electronics, and hydrogen purification.
Symbol: Pd
Rarity: 15 ppb
History: Discovered in 1803 by William Hyde Wollaston, named after the asteroid Pallas.
Applications/Uses: Used in catalytic converters, electronics, and hydrogen purification.
Silver
Atomic Number: 47
Symbol: Ag
Rarity: 75 ppb
History: Known since ancient times, the symbol Ag comes from the Latin argentum (meaning “shining”).
Applications/Uses: Used in jewelry, electronics, and mirrors.
Symbol: Ag
Rarity: 75 ppb
History: Known since ancient times, the symbol Ag comes from the Latin argentum (meaning “shining”).
Applications/Uses: Used in jewelry, electronics, and mirrors.
Mercury
Atomic Number: 80
Symbol: Hg
Rarity: 85 ppb
History: Discovered in Egyptian tombs dating back to 1500 BC.
Applications/Uses: Used in thermometers, fluorescent lamps, and industrial applications.
Symbol: Hg
Rarity: 85 ppb
History: Discovered in Egyptian tombs dating back to 1500 BC.
Applications/Uses: Used in thermometers, fluorescent lamps, and industrial applications.
Indium
Atomic Number: 49
Symbol: In
Rarity: 250 ppb
History: Discovered in 1863 by German chemists, named after the indigo line in its spectrum.
Applications/Uses: Used in semiconductors, electronics, and liquid crystal displays.
Symbol: In
Rarity: 250 ppb
History: Discovered in 1863 by German chemists, named after the indigo line in its spectrum.
Applications/Uses: Used in semiconductors, electronics, and liquid crystal displays.
Germanium
Atomic Number: 32
Symbol: Ge
Rarity: 1500 ppb
History: Discovered in 1886 by Clemens Winkler.
Applications/Uses: Used as a semiconductor in electronics.
Symbol: Ge
Rarity: 1500 ppb
History: Discovered in 1886 by Clemens Winkler.
Applications/Uses: Used as a semiconductor in electronics.
Californium
Atomic Number: 98
History: First synthesized in 1950 by bombarding curium with alpha particles.
Applications/Uses: Used in nuclear reactors and for neutron activation analysis.
History: First synthesized in 1950 by bombarding curium with alpha particles.
Applications/Uses: Used in nuclear reactors and for neutron activation analysis.