Discovery Information
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Who: Carl Mosander |
When: 1843 |
Where: Sweden |
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Name Origin
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From Ytterby, Sweden. |
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Sources
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Found with other heavier rare earth metals, and in the minerals xenotime and euxenite. |
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Uses
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For making photographic filters and as a neutron absorber. Erbium oxide is used in ceramics to obtain a pink glaze.
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When added to vanadium as an alloy erbium lowers hardness and improves workability.
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Notes
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Metallic erbium in dust form presents a fire and explosion hazard. |
Erbium is mostly dangerous in the working environment, due to the fact that damps and gasses can be inhaled with air. This
can cause lung embolisms, especially during long-term exposure. Erbium can be a threat to the liver when it accumulates in
the human body.
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