Neodymium is a rare earth element found in the earth’s crust and used in strong magnets, optical materials, and metal alloys. It was discovered in 1885 and has low to mild toxicity.
Neodymium is a metallic chemical element classified in the rare earth group of the periodic table. Despite being “rare” in its elemental group, neodymium is actually relatively abundant in the earth’s crust, usually in compounds that form various minerals. It can also be found in some mixed metal ores, which are processed in various ways to obtain separate metal products. Consumers are probably most familiar with neodymium in the form of extremely strong magnets made from a neodymium alloy.
In appearance, the item is silvery in color and extremely bright. However, it oxidizes quickly, so it must be stored in mineral oil or other neutral conditions to keep the color bright and shiny. Neodymium also has a number of salts and isotopes which are used in various industrial applications; the appearance of these derivatives of the element varies. On the periodic table the element is identified with the symbol Nd, and has atomic number 60. In nature it rarely appears in its pure state, due to its reactivity with air.
Baron Carl Auer von Welsbach is generally credited with the discovery of this element, in 1885. He was conducting studies on a material known as didymium which had been discovered by Carl Mosander in 1841 and eventually used a fractional distillation technique to extract the neodymium from this compound. Mosander believed his discovery was a new element, and named it from the Greek didymos, for “twin,” a reference to its close resemblance to lanthanum. Welsbach called his discovery the “new twin” after realizing that didymium was not actually a pure element.
A pure form wasn’t isolated until 1925, and it took several years to develop a convenient technique for extracting it. In addition to being used in magnets, the element is employed in optical materials, glass dyes, ceramic glazes, and various metal alloys. Neodymium is a common component of misch metal, a metal alloy that’s used in things like flints for lighters. These compounds are also sometimes administered as intravenous anticoagulants.
Like other rare earth metals, this element is believed to have low to mild toxicity. Metal dust can certainly irritate mucous membranes such as those found in the mouth, nose, eyes and lungs. Also be aware of the fumes and vapors of neodymium produced when working the metal, and people may want to avoid ingesting it if possible.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
