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- About Us
Yttrium
Yttrium (Y) is a silvery-metallic transition metal often grouped with the rare earth elements due to its similar chemical behavior. It has a melting point of 1526 °C and is relatively stable in air, forming a protective oxide layer. Yttrium is typically obtained from mineral sources such as xenotime and monazite through solvent extraction and ion exchange.
Goodfellow's high-purity Yttrium products are designed to meet the exacting requirements of advanced research and industrial applications. Available in forms such as foil, powder, rod, and wire, yttrium is valued for its unique properties as a rare earth metal, including its high melting point and corrosion resistance. This silvery-metallic transition metal exhibits strong paramagnetic behavior and forms a protective oxide film in air, contributing to its stability. Yttrium finds critical applications in the electronics industry, aerospace sector, and energy production. It plays a vital role in the manufacturing of phosphors for LED displays, as a component in high-temperature superconductors, and in the production of yttrium-aluminum garnet (YAG) lasers for medical and industrial use. Goodfellow's yttrium products support cutting-edge research in areas such as advanced ceramics and next-generation battery technologies. Their distinctive properties make them indispensable for scientists and engineers advancing materials science, particularly in applications requiring high-temperature stability and specialized optical characteristics.
Properties
Identifiers
Isotopes
Applications
Grades
Synonyms
General Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Atomic Number | 39 |
| Density | 4.47 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 1526 °C |
| Boiling Point | 3345 °C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 17 W/m·K |
| Electrical Resistivity | 59 nΩ·m |
| Crystal Structure | Hexagonal Close-Packed (HCP) |
Mechanical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 150 MPa (approximate) |
| Yield Strength | Unknown / Not well defined |
| Young’s Modulus | 63 GPa |
| Hardness | Brinell ~589 (approximate) |
| Elongation at Break | ~30% |
| Poisson’s Ratio | 0.24 |
Chemical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Corrosion Resistance | Good; forms protective oxide layer |
| Reactivity | Reacts slowly with water and oxygen |
| Oxidation States | +3 |
| Surface Oxide | Forms Y₂O₃ in air |
| Identifier | Value |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Y |
| Atomic Number | 39 |
| CAS Number | 7440-65-5 |
| UN Number | UN3089 (powder) |
| EINECS Number | 231-174-8 |
| Isotope | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Y-89 | Stable | 100% natural abundance |
Scientific Applications
| Use Case | Description |
|---|---|
| Superconductors | Used in yttrium-barium-copper-oxide (YBCO) high-temperature superconductors |
| Nuclear Reactors | Acts as a neutron reflector and moderator in certain reactor designs |
| Quantum Materials | Studied in the development of quantum dots and optical materials |
| Medical Imaging | Used in Y-90 radioisotopes for cancer treatment and diagnostics |
| Photonics | Key dopant in phosphors for optical and laser systems |
Industrial Applications
| Use Case | Description |
|---|---|
| LED Phosphors | Enables red phosphor emission in white LEDs |
| Ceramics | Used in YSZ (yttria-stabilized zirconia) for thermal coatings |
| Metallurgy | Improves grain refinement and strength in alloys |
| Glass and Optics | Enhances shock resistance in specialty glass |
| Electronics | Used in filters and capacitors for telecommunications |
| Purity | Applications | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 99% (2N) | Used in ceramics, metallurgy, and electronic components | Cost-effective grade for industrial-scale processes |
| 99.9% (3N) | Preferred for photonics, superconductors, and nuclear research | High-purity grade essential for sensitive and high-tech applications |
| Synonym |
|---|
| Y |
| Y metal |
| Y element |
| Yttrium metal |
| Yttrium element |
| Yttrium rare earth metal |
| Yttrium rare earth element |
| Element 39 |