Praseodymium

Category

Rare Earth Metals

Description

Yellowish metal; oxides form on exposure to moist air; [Merck Index] It is soft, silvery, and malleable. It develops a green oxide coating when exposed to air. [Reference #1]

Sources/Uses

Source: Rare earth minerals; [Merck Index] Uses: Praseodymium salts are used in mischmetal, cores for carbon arcs, colorants (glazes and glasses), catalysts, phosphors, and lasers; [Hawley] Didymium glass, used in welders goggles, contains Pr. [Reference #1]

Comments

First prepared in pure form in 1931; Recent improvement in technology (ion-exchange and solvent extraction techniques) allow less costly isolation of Pr and other rare earth metals. [Reference #1] See "RARE EARTH METALS" and linked occupational diseases.

Reference Link #1

Biomedical References

Explanatory Notes

mp = 935 deg C; [Merck Index]

Yes

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Glass Manufacturing