Materials Library — Rare Earth & Critical Materials

Recovered mainly as a byproduct of bauxite, titanium and uranium/rare-earth processing rather than mined directly. Concentrated by solvent extraction and ion exchange, converted to scandium oxide, then reduced to metal.

Aluminium-scandium master alloys that raise strength and weldability without adding weight — aerospace airframes, high-end sporting goods and additively manufactured aluminium parts; also a solid oxide fuel cell electrolyte dopant.

Extracted from xenotime and monazite ores by acid leaching, solvent extraction and ion-exchange separation from other rare earths; refined to yttrium oxide, then reduced to metal by calciothermic reduction.

Yttria-stabilized zirconia structural ceramics and oxygen sensors, LED/display phosphors, YAG laser crystals, and a grain-refining additive in aluminium and magnesium alloys.

The most abundant light rare earth. Separated from bastnäsite/monazite concentrate by solvent extraction, precipitated and calcined to lanthanum oxide, then reduced to metal.

NiMH battery electrodes, fluid catalytic cracking catalysts in petroleum refining, high-refractive-index camera and optical lens glass, and carbon-arc lighting.

The most abundant rare earth overall. Recovered from bastnäsite/monazite, separated by solvent extraction, and converted to cerium oxide (ceria) or other cerium compounds.

Automotive catalytic converter oxygen storage, glass and mirror polishing compound (ceria), UV-absorbing glass and coatings, and diesel fuel-borne catalysts.

Co-extracted with neodymium from bastnäsite/monazite as "didymium" concentrate, then separated by solvent extraction and ion exchange, refined to oxide and reduced to metal.

Alloyed with neodymium in high-strength NdFeB-type magnets, yellow glass and ceramic colorant, and Pr/Nd didymium glass welding-goggle filters.

Separated from didymium concentrate by solvent extraction and ion exchange, refined to neodymium oxide or chloride, then reduced to metal by electrolysis or calciothermic reduction.

NdFeB permanent magnets — the strongest commercially available — used in speakers, microphones, motors and actuators; Nd:YAG laser rods; and rubber-polymerization catalysts.

The only rare earth with no stable isotopes. Not mined from ore — produced synthetically as a nuclear fission byproduct and isolated by chemical separation.

Historically used in luminous paint and betavoltaic nuclear batteries for spacecraft and remote instrumentation; largely superseded and tightly regulated today.

Separated from bastnäsite/monazite concentrate by solvent extraction, refined to samarium oxide, then reduced to metal by calciothermic reduction or electrolysis.

Samarium-cobalt (SmCo) magnets, valued over NdFeB for high-temperature stability and corrosion resistance — used in aerospace, and high-temperature motor and sensor applications.

Isolated using its unique reducibility to the +2 oxidation state, which allows selective separation from bastnäsite/monazite concentrate ahead of the other lanthanides; refined to oxide, then metal.

Red and blue phosphors in LED, CFL and display screens; anti-counterfeiting security inks that fluoresce under UV on currency and documents.

Extracted from monazite/bastnäsite, separated by solvent extraction and ion exchange, refined to oxide and reduced to metal.

MRI contrast agents, neutron-absorbing control rods and radiation shielding, magnetic-refrigeration research, and phosphor host material.

Recovered in small quantities from ion-adsorption clay ores and bastnäsite, separated by solvent extraction, refined to oxide and reduced to metal.

Green phosphors in displays and efficient lighting, Terfenol-D magnetostrictive alloys for actuators and sonar transducers, and a high-temperature stabilizing dopant for fuel cells and solid-state devices.

Recovered mainly from ion-adsorption clay (heavy rare earth ore) and as a co-product of NdFeB magnet processing; separated by solvent extraction, refined to oxide and reduced to metal.

Added to NdFeB magnets to preserve magnetic strength at high operating temperature — motors and EV drivetrains — plus control rods and specialized halide lighting.

Recovered from ion-adsorption clay and monazite/bastnäsite concentrate by solvent extraction, refined to oxide and reduced to metal.

Highest magnetic strength of any element — used in pole pieces for high-field magnets and Ho:YAG surgical and industrial lasers; also a glass colorant for calibration standards.

Recovered from ion-adsorption clay and monazite/bastnäsite by solvent extraction and ion exchange, refined to oxide, then reduced to metal by fluoride reduction or molten-salt electrolysis.

Erbium-doped fiber amplifiers for telecom networks, Er:YAG medical, dental and industrial lasers, and pink/rose glass and ceramic colorant.

The rarest naturally occurring stable rare earth. Recovered from ion-adsorption clay ores in trace quantities, separated by solvent extraction, refined to oxide and reduced to metal.

Portable X-ray sources (Tm-170 isotope), Tm:YAG surgical lasers, and euro banknote anti-counterfeiting features that fluoresce blue under UV.