Samarium oxide price index

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Samarium oxide price index

This post is a summary of the Samarium oxide price developments. The price developments of Samarium oxide are expressed in US$ prices converted FX rates applicable at the time when the price was valid. Samarium oxide price index developments are calculated from multiple separate sources of data to ensure statistical accuracy.

The outlook for Samarium oxide prices, on the second tab, is generated from different inputs including:

• Very recent price developments of immediate cost drivers of Samarium oxide prices
• Recent price developments of underlying feedstocks which drive the price of Samarium oxide 
• Market futures for both cost drives and feedstocks of Samarium oxide prices
• Adjustment of current supply/demand imbalances in the Samarium oxide market
• Longer term trends in likely demand conditions

Further information on the Samarium oxide price index

What is Samarium oxide 

Samarium oxide, also known by its chemical formula Sm2O3, is a chemical compound consisting of samarium (Sm) and oxygen (O) atoms. It is a rare earth oxide and belongs to the lanthanide series of elements in the periodic table. Samarium oxide is typically a pale yellow to white solid powder with high melting and boiling points.

Samarium oxide is used for various applications, including:

Catalysis

It is used as a catalyst in various chemical reactions, such as dehydration, dehydration and dehydrogenation of alcohols, and other organic transformations.

Solid-state electrolytes

Samarium oxide is used in the development of solid-state electrolytes for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) and other high-temperature electrochemical devices.

Optical materials

It can be used in the production of specialized optical glasses and ceramics, particularly for applications in the near-infrared and infrared regions.

Phosphors

Samarium oxide is utilized in the manufacturing of phosphors for cathode ray tube (CRT) and flat-panel displays to produce red and green colors.

Magnetic materials

Samarium cobalt (SmCo) magnets, which contain samarium and cobalt, are used in high-temperature and high-strength permanent magnet applications.

Nuclear technology

Sm2O3 is used as a neutron absorber in nuclear reactors, control rods, and in the preparation of samarium targets for the production of certain radioisotopes.

Samarium oxide, like other rare earth compounds, has unique properties that make it valuable for various technological and scientific applications

How is Samarium oxide produced

Samarium oxide (Sm2O3) is typically produced through a series of chemical and metallurgical processes. The primary source of samarium is the mineral bastnäsite, which contains various rare earth elements, including samarium. Here are the general steps involved in the production of samarium oxide:

Mining and Extraction

Bastnäsite ore is mined, and the rare earth elements are extracted from the ore through a series of physical and chemical separation processes. These processes may include crushing, grinding, flotation, and magnetic separation to concentrate the rare earth minerals.

Leaching

The concentrated rare earth ore is subjected to leaching, typically using strong acids, to dissolve the rare earth elements. This forms a solution containing various rare earth ions.

Precipitation

The rare earth ions are then separated and purified through precipitation. Ammonium hydroxide or oxalic acid is commonly used to precipitate the rare earth ions as hydroxides or oxalates. Samarium is usually present in this mixture along with other rare earth elements.

Separation

The precipitate is subjected to further chemical processes to separate samarium from the other rare earth elements. Various separation techniques, such as solvent extraction or ion exchange, are employed to isolate samarium.

Conversion to Oxide

The separated samarium is typically in the form of samarium hydroxide or other compounds. To convert it into samarium oxide, the material is usually heated to high temperatures (calcined) in the presence of oxygen. This process yields samarium oxide, Sm2O3.

Purification and Refining

The samarium oxide may undergo additional purification steps to ensure its quality and remove any impurities.

The specific details of the production process may vary depending on the source of rare earth minerals and the desired purity of the samarium oxide. It’s worth noting that the production of rare earth elements and their compounds, including samarium oxide, can be a complex and environmentally sensitive process, and efforts are made to minimize the environmental impact and ensure sustainable sourcing of these materials

What is Samarium oxide used for

Samarium oxide (Sm2O3) is used for various purposes and applications, thanks to its unique properties. Some of its common uses include:

Catalysis

Samarium oxide is employed as a catalyst in various chemical reactions. It can facilitate processes such as dehydrogenation, dehydration, and other organic transformations.

Solid-State Electrolytes

It is used in the development of solid-state electrolytes for high-temperature electrochemical devices, such as solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs).

Optical Materials

Samarium oxide is utilized in the production of specialized optical glasses and ceramics, particularly for applications in the near-infrared and infrared regions. It can be used to create optical filters and lenses.

Phosphors

Samarium oxide is used in the manufacture of phosphors for various applications, including cathode ray tube (CRT) displays and flat-panel displays. It is employed to produce red and green colors in these displays.

Magnetic Materials

Samarium oxide is a precursor for the production of samarium cobalt (SmCo) magnets. These magnets are known for their high magnetic properties and are used in high-temperature and high-strength permanent magnet applications, such as in some aerospace and automotive components.

Nuclear Technology

Samarium oxide is used as a neutron absorber in nuclear reactors, particularly in control rods to regulate the nuclear fission process. It is also utilized in the preparation of samarium targets for the production of certain radioisotopes used in medical and industrial applications.

Laser Materials

Samarium-doped crystals, such as samarium-doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (YAG), are used in the construction of lasers and as laser gain media for specific wavelengths.

These applications highlight the versatility and importance of samarium oxide in various scientific, industrial, and technological fields. Its unique properties make it valuable in a range of specialized materials and processes

How big is the Samarium oxide market

Compounds, mixes of rare-earths, yttrium, scandium ne are the world’s 1248th most traded product.

In 2021, the top exporters of Compounds, mixes of rare-earths, yttrium, scandium ne were Burma ($803M), China ($469M), Malaysia ($419M), United States ($293M), and Japan ($127M).

In 2021, the top importers of Compounds, mixes of rare-earths, yttrium, scandium ne were China ($1.29B), Vietnam ($291M), Japan ($268M), United States ($102M), and Thailand ($100M).