Rare Earth Metals
Dr. Gschneidner is affiliated with the Ames Laboratory, DOE, the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and the Rare-earth Information Center.
Mr. Beaudry is associated with the Ames Laboratory, DOE.
Mr. Capellen is on the staff of the Rare-earth Information Center.
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Published:1990
Abstract
Rare earth metals belong to Group IIIA of the periodic table that includes scandium, yttrium, and the lanthanide elements which are lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, and lutetium. This article classifies the rare earth metals based on their purity level, which are designated as research grades (>99.8% pure) and commercial grades (95% - 98% pure), and describes the preparation and purification, including solid-state electrolysis. It further discusses physical, mechanical, and chemical properties; electronic configurations; crystal structures, and explains the alloy forming characteristics of rare earth elements. The article concludes by describing the various applications of commercial-grade rare earth elements and commercial alloys, which incorporates rare earth elements as additives.
K.A. Gschneidner, Jr., B.J. Beaudry, J. Capellen, Rare Earth Metals, Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials, Vol 2, ASM Handbook, By ASM Handbook Committee, ASM International, 1990, p 720–732, https://doi.org/10.31399/asm.hb.v02.a0001089
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