Rare earth metals in elemental form are used to make alloys, magnets, hydrogen storage materials and sputtering targets, and to study the unusual physics of the 4f elements. This sub-category supplies them as ingots, rods, chips, foils and powders. Cerium is listed in many forms, including Cerium ingot at 99% and 99.9%, Cerium powder -200 mesh, Cerium rods of 6.35 mm and 12.7 mm diameter, and Cerium chips at 99.9%.

Rare earth metals oxidise in air, the lighter ones quite quickly, and fine powders and chips can ignite. Purity is normally given on a rare earth metals basis, with a separate figure that may exclude tantalum from crucible contact. Choose the form by process: ingots for melting and alloying, rods for machining, and powders for reactive synthesis.

Ingots and chips for alloy and magnet research
Rods and foils for machining and target making
Powders for hydride and intermetallic synthesis

Metals are packed under argon or mineral oil and shipped with a COA and SDS. Powders travel as flammable solids.

Rare Earth Metals: questions buyers ask

Why are rare earth metals stored under oil or argon?

Lighter rare earths such as lanthanum, cerium and europium react with oxygen and moisture in air, forming oxide layers and, in the case of fine pieces, heating up or igniting. Storage under mineral oil or argon prevents this. Clean oil off with dry solvent just before use, inside a glovebox if possible.

What does metals basis excluding Ta mean?

Rare earth metals are often melted in tantalum crucibles, which can add small amounts of tantalum. A purity stated on a metals basis excluding tantalum counts all metallic impurities except tantalum. If your application is sensitive to tantalum, ask for the measured tantalum level on the COA.

Are cerium chips a fire risk?

Yes. Cerium is pyrophoric in finely divided form, and chips or turnings can ignite when scraped or heated in air. This property is used in lighter flints. Store chips under oil or inert gas, avoid friction and sparks, and keep a class D fire extinguisher or dry sand nearby.

Nearby categories

Alkali Metal Compounds (Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs) 516Alkaline Earth Compounds (Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba) 300Transition Metal Compounds (Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mn, Cr) 425Refractory & Heavy Metal Compounds (Mo, W, V, Ti, Zr, Cd, Hg) 252Main Group Metal & Metalloid Compounds (Al, Sn, Pb, Bi, Sb, Ga, In) 347Precious Metal Salts & Compounds 94 Rare Earth Oxides 104Rare Earth Salts & Compounds 339Ammonium Salts, Mineral Acids & Non-metal Compounds 132

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