Yttrium metal (Y) is a rare earth element of distinctive black-gray color. As a hard and brittle metal, yttrium is also ductile at high temperatures. Although it reacts readily with hot water, releasing hydrogen. When heated above 400℃,yttrium metal becomes highly flammable, making it important to handle with care in controlled environments. In the presence of air, yttrium naturally forms a stable oxide layer, which enhances its stability and prevents further oxidation. This unique property makes yttrium highly valuable in a range of industrial applications, particularly in high-tech and specialized fields.
Yttrium metal is commonly available in several forms, including foils, sheet, rod, wire, ingot, lump, and powder. Its powder typically has a purity of REM 99.9% and is avaiable in mesh sizes such as -100mesh and -200mesh. It is suitable for various applications, from phosphor production to advanced materials.
Yttrium metal is typically extracted from rare earth ores, including bastnasite and monazite. Its production uses a combination of extraction techniques such as solvent extraction and reduction processes. The pure yttrium metal is available in different forms, including ingots, sheets, powders and foils. The material can be customized to meet specific requirements in terms of purity, particle size, and form.
Yttrium Metal
| CAS No.:7440-65-5 | EINECS No.:231-174-8 | Molecular Formula:Y | Molecular Weight:88.91 |
| Melting Point:1522℃ | Boiling Point:3338℃ | Density:4.472 |
Applications
1.Phosphor Production:
Yttrium is most famously used in the production of red phosphors (YVO4:Eu,Y2O3:EU,Y2O2S:Eu). They are essential for color television picture tubes (CRT) and other display technologies. Yttrium phosphors, such as YVO4:Eu (Yttrium Vanadate Doped with Europium) and Y2O3:Eu (Yttrium Oxide Doped with Europium), are crucial components in producing the red color in cathode ray tubes (CRT) and fluorescent lamps. Yttrium dopant phosphors are also used in high-end displays, lasers, and lighting systems, where precise color rendering is required.
2.Superconductors & Super Alloys:
Yttrium plays a vital role in the creation of superconducting materials, such as yttrium barium copper oxide (YBCO). YBCO is one of the most widely studied high-temperature superconductors (HTS). This material exhibits superconductivity at temperatures above the boiling point of liquid nitrogen, making it highly beneficial for applications in medical imaging (MRI), high-speed trains (magnetic levitation), and quantum computing. In addition, yttrium is raw material in the production of high-performance super alloys, which are important for aerospace, military, and energy industries.
3.Laser Materials & Magnetic Materials:
Yttrium powder is crucial in the production of laser materials, especially Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (YAG), which is a dopant as neodymium (Nd) to produce Nd:YAG lasers. These lasers widely serve medical, industrial, and military applications, such as laser surgery, welding, and cutting. Furthermore, yttrium iron garnet (YIG) is an important magnetic material for the creation of advanced magnetic devices such as microwave filters, oscillators, and magnetic resonance devices.
4.Alloy Additives:
Yttrium ingots and metal poweder frequently work as additives in the production of various alloys. As a nodulizing agent, yttrium is as raw material in the manufacture of ductile cast iron, which enhances its strength, toughness, and resistance to wear. In addition, yttrium serves as a desoxidant for vanadium and other non-ferrous metals, improving the overall quality and properties of the alloys. Yttrium’s presence in alloys such as chromium, molybdenum, titanium, zirconium, aluminum, and magnesium enhances their strength, corrosion resistance, and heat tolerance, making them ideal for high-performance applications in aerospace, automotive, and industrial machinery.
5.Energy Storage & Photovoltaic Applications:
Yttrium’s role in energy technologies continues to grow, particularly in the development of advanced energy storage systems and photovoltaic materials. Yttrium-based compounds get potential applications in solar cells, which offers increased efficiency and performance in converting solar energy into electrical power.
6.Specialty Glass & Coatings:
Yttrium powder is a key material in the production of specialty glasses, particularly in the production of laser crystals and other high-performance optical materials. Yttrium oxide spherical powder commonly serves as a coating material in high-temperature applications, such as in metal coatings and for the protection of materials from oxidation and corrosion.
7.Medical Applications:
Yttrium element works in the form of yttrium-90 (Y-90) for medical applications, particularly in radiation therapy for cancer treatment. Yttrium-90 is used in targeted radionuclide therapy, where it is attached to a molecule that can target and destroy cancer cells. It is also used in some diagnostic imaging techniques.
Market Outlook & Trends:
The global market for yttrium is driven by its increasing demand across a variety of industries. Such as electronics, aerospace, energy, and medical technologies. As high-performance materials and energy-efficient technologies continue to evolve, the demand for yttrium is growing. Particularly, its application in phosphors for LED lighting and in superconducting materials will play a key role in market expansion.
In the coming years, the rise of clean energy technologies, such as solar power and electric vehicles, is expected to drive further demand for yttrium-based products. The aerospace and defense sectors will continue to rely on yttrium for advanced materials and alloys, while medical applications will continue to grow, especially in radiation therapy and diagnostic imaging.
Why Choose our Yttrium Products?
Our yttrium metal products are designed to meet the highest industry standards. The product provides high purity and excellent performance across a wide range of applictions. Whether you need yttrium powder for phosphor production, Y ingots for alloy manufacturing, or specialized Y foils for high-tech industries. we provide products tailored to your specific requirements always. We ensure rigorous quality control and consistent supply to meet your needs in both large and small quantities.
Contact us today to learn more about how our yttrium metal products can support your applications and projects.