Thulium

Category

Rare Earth Metals

Description

Malleable, silver-white metal; [Merck Index]

Sources/Uses

Least abundant of the rare earth metals; Obtained from the mineral monazite, which contains about 0.07% thulium; It may have uses as an energy source, in ferrites (ceramic magnetic materials) in microwave equipment, and to dope fiber lasers; 100% of natural thulium is the Tm-169 isotope, which is stable; [Reference#1]

Comments

Acute toxicity: low to moderate; [Reference#1] See "RARE EARTH METALS" and linked occupational diseases.

Reference Link #1

Biomedical References

Explanatory Notes

mp = 1545 deg C; [Merck Index]

Yes

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Mining