Rare Earth Metals
Rare earth metals, also commonly known as rare earth elements (REE), are a group of periodic elements made up of the 15 lanthanides along with yttrium and scandium. Although not lanthanides, yttrium and scandium are still considered rare earths because they are often found in the same ore deposits as the lanthanides and exhibit similar properties. “Rare” is a bit of a misnomer when describing these elements, as the rare earths are actually plentiful in the Earth’s crust.
Below is a breakdown of each rare earth element and its common uses:
Non-Lanthanides | |
Element | Common Uses |
Scandium | Aerospace components, mercury-vapor lamps |
Yttrium | Lasers, microwave filters, high-temperature superconductors |
Light Rare Earth Elements (LREE) | |
Element | Common Uses |
Lanthanum | Camera lenses, catalytic cracking catalyst for refining oil, high refractive index glass, battery electrodes |
Cerium | Glass and ceramics, polishing powder, chemical oxidizing agent |
Praseodymium | Rare earth magnets, lasers, carbon arc lighting |
Neodymium | Rare earth magnets, lasers |
Promethium | Nuclear batteries |
Samarium | Rare earth magnets, lasers, masers |
Heavy Rare Earth Elements (HREE) | |
Element | Common Uses |
Europium | Lasers, mercury vapor lamps |
Gadolinium | Rare earth magnets, lasers, x-ray tubes, MRI, computer memory |
Terbium | Lasers, fluorescent lamps |
Dysprosium | Rare earth magnets, lasers |
Holmium | Lasers |
Erbium | Lasers, vanadium steel |
Thulium | x-ray machines |
Ytterbium | Lasers |
Lutetium | PET scanners, high refractive glass |