News: India is set to scale up its neodymium production ninefold to 500 tonnes by the end of FY27, as part of an aggressive push to boost self-reliance in rare earth elements.
About Neodymium (Nd)
- Neodymium (symbol Nd, atomic number 60) is a ductile and malleable silvery-white metal belonging to the lanthanide series of rare-earth elements.
- It is classified as a rare-earth element.
- It is found in minerals such as monazite and bastnäsite and extracted mainly through mining and refining of rare-earth ores.
- Neodymium is one of the more abundant rare earths, exceeded only by yttrium, lanthanum, and cerium.
- Physical Properties
- Appearance: Silvery-white metal with high ductility and malleability.
- Oxidation: Neodymium oxidizes quickly in air, forming a flaky oxide layer (Nd₂O₃) that easily spalls off, exposing fresh metal to further oxidation.
- Storage: Because of its reactivity, neodymium must be stored under vacuum, in inert gas, or in sealed plastic to prevent corrosion.
- Magnetic Properties
- Neodymium is strongly paramagnetic and becomes antiferromagnetic at very low temperatures
- It develops spontaneous magnetic moments on different atomic sites, making it critical for high-performance magnetic materials.
- Major Applications
- Magnets: The most important use is in neodymium–iron–boron (Nd₂Fe₁₄B) magnets, strongest permanent magnets known. These are vital in electric motors, generators, computer hard drives, and wind turbines.
- Electronics and Alloys: It is used in steel manufacturing, lighter flints (misch metal), and ferrous/nonferrous alloys.
- Lasers: It is widely used in industrial, medical, and military lasers.
- Optics and Glass: Neodymium compounds color glass in pink to purple hues and are used in glazes and fiber optics. A mixture of neodymium and praseodymium absorbs harmful sodium-D light, protecting welders’ and glassblowers’ eyes.
- Cryogenics: Employed as a regenerator material in low temperature cryocoolers.
