CAS Number: 7439-94-3
NOMINAL COMPOSITION
Y ≤0.012%
Ho ≤0.010%
Er ≤0.010%
Tm ≤0.010%
Yb ≤0.010%
Fe ≤0.010%
Al ≤0.010%
Si ≤0.010%
Ca ≤0.020%
Na ≤0.010%
Ti ≤0.001%
Cu ≤0.001%
Lu ≥99.9%
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF RARE EARTH METALS
The chemical activity of rare earth metals is very strong. When they react with oxygen, they form very stable R₂O₃-type oxides (R represents a rare earth metal). Cerium, praseodymium, and terbium also form CeO₂, Pr₆O₁₁, and TbO₂-type oxides. Their standard heats of formation and standard free enthalpies of negative values are larger than those of calcium, aluminum, and magnesium oxides. The melting points of rare earth oxides are above 2000°C, and europium has the largest atomic radius and is the most reactive, losing its luster immediately at room temperature and quickly oxidizing into powder. Lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, and neodymium are also easily oxidized, forming oxide film on their surfaces. Metals yttrium, gadolinium, and lutetium have strong resistance to corrosion and can maintain their metallic luster for a longer time. Rare earth metals react with water at different rates. Eu reacts violently with cold water to release hydrogen. The rare earth metals in the cerium group react slowly with water at room temperature, and the reaction accelerates as the temperature rises. The rare earth metals in the yttrium group are relatively stable. Rare earth metals react with halogens at high temperatures to form +2, +3, and +4 valence halides. Anhydrous halides have strong absorption of water and easily hydrolyze to form ROX (X represents a halogen) type haloxides. Rare earth metals can also react with boron, carbon, sulfur, hydrogen,and nitrogen to form corresponding compounds.
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Color Silver
Density 9.85g/cm³
Melting point 1656.0 ℃
Boiling point 3315.0℃
Volumetric modulus of elasticity Gpa：47.6
Electrical conductivity 106/(cm·Ω)：0.0185
Thermal conductivity W/（m·K）：6.4
Heat of melting (kilojoules per mole) 18.60
Heat of vaporization (kilojoules per mole) 355.90
Atomic volume (cubic centimeter/mole) 17.78
Vickers hardness 1160 MPa
Relative atomic mass 174.96
PRODUCT APPLICATION FIELD
Scientific research: Lutetium rod is widely used in scientific research and experiment, as experimental material .
Alloy fabrication: Lutetium aluminum alloy can be used for neutron activation analysis
Catalyst: Stable Lutetium nuclides play a catalytic role in cracking, alkylation, hydrogenation and polymerization of petroleum .
High temperature material: used for preparing high temperature material .
Magnetic materials and ceramics: used for preparing magnetic materials and ceramics .
Energy technology: potential uses in energy cell technology and activators of phosphors .
In addition, Lutetium is also used in nuclear industry, petroleum cracking, alkylation reaction, hydrogenation
reaction, polymerization reaction, preparation of bubble storage and doping of composite functional crystals .
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Lutetium rare earth metal is considered to be of low toxicity, but its compounds should be handled with care, for example lutetium fluoride is very dangerous to inhale and the compounds are prone to skin irritation. Lutetium nitrate is also dangerous because it can explode and burn. Lutetium oxide powder is toxic and can be dangerous if inhaled or ingested. Lutetium salts react with the other three groups of elements and the lanthanides; lutetium is not known to have a biological effect, but it is found in humans, mainly in bones, and to a lesser extent affects the liver and kidneys. The human diet does not control the amount of lutetium, so it is not known that lutetium salts have occurred with other rare earth salts; The human body contains the least amount of all lanthanides. How much is needed on average for humans, but estimates are about a few micrograms per year, all from trace amounts of plants. Soluble lutetium salts are mildly toxic, but insoluble.
