21 Yttrium Uses: Facts You Should Know!

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Yttrium is a rare-earth element with atomic number 39. It is represented by the chemical formula Y. Let us discuss Yttrium in more detail.

The uses of yttrium, a silvery metal, are as follows:

  • LEDs and phosphors
  • Electrodes
  • Tracing
  • Garnets
  • Superconductors
  • Material enhancer
  • Lithium batteries
  • Other applications

Yttrium is a transition metal with a silver appearance. Let us focus on the wide variety of uses of Yttrium through this article.

LEDs and phosphors

  • The most significant applications for yttrium are in LEDs and phosphors, particularly the red phosphors used in cathode ray tube displays for televisions.
  • Yttrium is considered the best host for red phosphors.

Electrodes

Yttrium is utilized to make electrodes, electrolytes, and electronic filters.

Tracing

Yttrium has applications in tracing different materials to improve their qualities.

Garnets

  • A wide range of synthetic garnets is produced using Yttrium.
  • Yttrium is utilized to create yttrium iron garnets (commonly known as YIG), which are powerful microwave filters.
  • Yttrium garnets have magnetic properties of great importance.
  • YIG is an extremely effective transmitter and transducer of acoustic energy.
  • Yttrium aluminum garnet, also known as YAG, is a gemstone used in jewelry.
  • White LEDs are produced using YAG: Ce (Yttrium Aluminium Garnet: Ce) crystals as phosphors.

Superconductors

The yttrium based superconductors are extensively known and have numerous applications. The yttrium barium copper oxide (YBa2Cu3O7, often known as “YBCO” or “1-2-3”) superconductor comprises yttrium as one of its main components.

Material enhancer

  • Chromium, molybdenum, titanium, and zirconium have had their grain sizes reduced using small quantities of yttrium (0.1 to 0.2%).
  • Aluminum and magnesium alloys are strengthened using yttrium.
  • Workability is typically increased, high-temperature recrystallization resistance is added, and high-temperature oxidation resistance is greatly increased when yttrium is added to alloys.
  • Vanadium and other non-ferrous metals are deoxidized with the help of yttrium.
  • Zirconia in jewelry is stabilized in its cubic form by yttria.
  • To boost ductility and fatigue resistance, yttrium has been researched as a nodulizer in ductile cast iron, shaping the graphite into compact nodules rather than flakes.
  • Yttrium is used to give some ceramic and glass shock resistance and low thermal expansion qualities.

Lithium batteries

  • Small amounts of yttrium are utilized in the cathodes of some lithium iron phosphate batteries (LFP).
  • Yttrium offer great energy density, exceptional safety, and extended life to lithium based batteries.
  • Yttrium based lithium batteries have applications in stationary applications (off-grid solar systems), electric vehicles (certain cars), and other applications (submarines, ships), though frequently with better cycle life and safety.

Other applications

The first new blue pigment discovered in 200 years is made from yttrium, indium, and manganese. YInMn blue is a deep blue, inert, and fade-resistant pigment.

Conclusion

It can be concluded that Yttrium is a chemical element with high industrial importance. It is not found as a free element in nature. The only stable isotope and the only isotope present in the crust of the Earth is Yttrium.