lanthanides (rare earth)

Very reactant elements found in the lanthanide series (monazite, xenotime); some are relatively abundant in the Earth’s crust.

erbium

Metal that is used mainly in some alloys (especially with vanadium), lasers and infrared-absorbing glass, and as a colorant for glass and enamel.

ytterbium

Metal that is used in the manufacture of stainless steel, in lasers and as a source of X-rays in portable radiology equipment.

thulium

The rarest of the lanthanide group; it is used as a source of X-rays in portable radiology equipment and in the manufacture of ferrites (magnetic ceramics).

lutetium

Very rare metal that is difficult to separate; it has no real industrial applications but can be used as a catalyst (cracking, hydrogenation).

dysprosium

Very rare metal that is used especially in permanent magnets, lasers and nuclear reactors (absorbing neutrons).

holmium

Very rare metal with limited applications; it is used in lasers and for coloring glass.

terbium

Rare metal that is used especially in lasers and semiconductors.

samarium

Rare radioactive metal that is used especially in optical glass, lasers, nuclear reactors (absorbing neutrons) and permanent magnets.

promethium

Radioactive metal that is used mainly in specialized batteries and luminescent coatings for watches, and as a source of X-rays in medicine.

neodymium

One of the most reactant of rare metals; it is used mainly to manufacture lasers, eyeglasses and permanent-magnet alloys.

praseodymium

Metal that is used especially in protective lenses, colorants for glass, flint alloys (misch metal) and permanent magnets.

cerium

The most common metal of the lanthanide group and the main constituent of flint alloys (misch metal).

gadolinium

Metal that is often alloyed with chromed steel; it is used especially in the manufacture of permanent magnets, magnetic heads and electronic components.

europium

The most reactant metal of the lanthanide group; it is used especially in television screens (the color orange) and nuclear reactors (absorbing neutrons).

lanthanum

Metal that reacts with water to yield hydrogen; it is used especially in flint alloys and optical glass.