Neodymium

Neodymium, chemical element, symbol Nd; for physical constants see Periodic Table. Neodymium was discovered by C.F. Auer von Welsbach in 1885 after he separated didymia into earths (oxides) called praseodymia and neodymia. Neodymium is a silvery, soft, reactive metal, belonging to the series of elements known as the rare-earth metals. It occurs in the minerals monazite and bastnasite, the 2 principal sources of the rare-earth elements, and is prepared by reducing the anhydrous chloride with calcium. Neodymium is present to the extent of 18% in misch metal. Ion-exchange and solvent extraction techniques have led to much easier isolation of the rare-earth elements. Neodymium and its compounds are used in laser materials, carbon lighting applications, special glasses and enamels, and refractory materials.