CERIUM METAL

1. PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION AND CHEMICAL IDENTITY

Parameter	Information
Product Name	Cerium Metal
Chemical Name	Elemental Cerium, Metallic Cerium
Other Names	Cerium Metal, Silver Cerium, Rare Earth Metal, Ferrocerium Alloy Component
CAS Number	7440-45-1
EC Number (EINECS)	231-154-9
Chemical Symbol	Ce
Atomic Number	58
Atomic Weight	140.12 g/mol
Appearance	Silver-gray metal, soft and ductile
Odor	Odorless
Physical State (20°C)	Solid (metal)

2. CHEMICAL STRUCTURE

2.1. Atomic Structure

Cerium is a lanthanide (rare earth) element with electron configuration [Xe] 4f¹ 5d¹ 6s². It is the most abundant of the rare earth elements. Cerium exhibits two common oxidation states: +3 (cerous) and +4 (ceric). The metal has a face-centered cubic (FCC) crystal structure and is soft, ductile, and highly reactive.

Atomic Properties:

Property	Value
Electron Configuration	[Xe] 4f¹ 5d¹ 6s²
Oxidation States	+3 (most stable), +4
Electronegativity (Pauling)	1.12
Ionization Energy (1st)	534.4 kJ/mol
Atomic Radius	181.8 pm
Ionic Radius (Ce³⁺)	102 pm
Magnetic Ordering	Paramagnetic

2.2. Crystal Structure

Parameter	Value
Crystal System	Face-Centered Cubic (FCC)
Lattice Parameter (a)	5.160 Å
Space Group	Fm3̄m (No. 225)
Coordination Number	12
Allotropic Transformation	γ-Ce → β-Ce at ~95 K

3. PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

3.1. Physical Properties

Property	Value	Description
Appearance	Silver-gray metal, soft and ductile	-
Atomic Number	58	-
Atomic Weight	140.12 g/mol	-
Density	6.77 g/cm³	-
Melting Point	798 °C	-
Boiling Point	3443 °C	-
Hardness (Mohs)	2.5	Soft metal
Electrical Resistivity	73 µΩ·cm	-
Thermal Conductivity	11.3 W/(m·K)	-
Specific Heat Capacity	192 J/(kg·K)	-
Heat of Fusion	5.46 kJ/mol	-
Heat of Vaporization	398 kJ/mol	-
Magnetic Susceptibility	Paramagnetic	-

3.2. Chemical Properties

Property	Description
Oxidation States	+3 (most stable), +4
Reaction with Air	Rapidly oxidizes; forms Ce₂O₃ and CeO₂
Reaction with Water	Reacts slowly with cold water, rapidly with hot water
Reaction with Acids	Dissolves readily in dilute acids
Reaction with Halogens	Reacts with all halogens at elevated temperatures
Reaction with Hydrogen	Forms cerium hydride (CeH₂/CeH₃)
Reaction with Nitrogen	Forms cerium nitride at high temperatures
Pyrophoricity	In finely divided form (powder), pyrophoric

3.3. Chemical Reactions

Oxidation in Air:

4Ce + 3O₂ → 2Ce₂O₃ (slow oxidation at RT)
Ce + O₂ → CeO₂ (at elevated temperatures)

Reaction with Water:

2Ce + 6H₂O → 2Ce(OH)₃ + 3H₂↑

Reaction with Acid (HCl):

2Ce + 6HCl → 2CeCl₃ + 3H₂↑

Reaction with Hydrogen:

Ce + 2H₂ → CeH₄ (at elevated temperatures)

4. PURITY GRADES

Parameter	Industrial Grade	High Purity Grade	Ultra High Purity Grade
Purity	≥ 99.0%	≥ 99.5%	≥ 99.9%
Ce Content	≥ 99.0%	≥ 99.5%	≥ 99.9%
Oxygen (O)	≤ 0.5%	≤ 0.1%	≤ 0.05%
Carbon (C)	≤ 0.1%	≤ 0.05%	≤ 0.02%
Iron (Fe)	≤ 0.2%	≤ 0.1%	≤ 0.05%
Silicon (Si)	≤ 0.1%	≤ 0.05%	≤ 0.02%
Other Rare Earths	≤ 1.0%	≤ 0.5%	≤ 0.1%
Nitrogen (N)	≤ 0.05%	≤ 0.02%	≤ 0.01%

5. FORMS AND AVAILABILITY

Form	Description	Typical Purity
Ingots / Chunks	Irregular metal pieces	99.0-99.5%
Rods / Bars	Cylindrical metal forms	99.0-99.9%
Powder	Fine metal powder (pyrophoric)	99.0-99.5%
Granules	Small spherical particles	99.0-99.5%
Turnings	Machined metal shavings	99.0-99.5%
Sputtering Targets	For thin film deposition	99.0-99.99%
Ferrocerium Alloy	Ce + Fe + other REEs	Variable

6. APPLICATION AREAS

6.1. Ferrocerium and Pyrotechnics

Application	Function	Details
Ferrocerium Production	Spark igniter	Used in lighter flints (mischmetal + iron)
Pyrotechnics	Spark generation	Fireworks and ignition devices
Defense Applications	Special igniters	Military pyrotechnic systems
Survival Tools	Fire starters	Emergency fire starting devices

6.2. Alloy Additive

Application	Function	Details
Aluminum Alloys	Grain refiner	Improves casting quality
Magnesium Alloys	Grain refinement	Increases corrosion resistance
Iron Alloys	Nodularization	Helps form nodular graphite in cast iron
Specialty Alloys	Performance enhancer	High-temperature applications

6.3. Catalyst Support

Application	Function	Details
Automotive Catalysts	Catalyst support	Three-way catalyst oxygen storage
Petrochemical Catalysts	Support material	Refinery applications
Environmental Catalysis	DeNOx systems	Emission control
Fluid Catalytic Cracking	Catalyst component	Petroleum refining

6.4. Electronics and Vacuum Tubes

Application	Function	Details
Electron Emission Surfaces	Electron emitter	Vacuum tube cathodes
Gettering Material	Gas absorber	Vacuum tube manufacturing
Thin Film Deposition	Sputtering target	Semiconductor manufacturing
Phosphor Precursor	Phosphor production	Lighting and displays

6.5. Nuclear Applications

Application	Function	Details
Reactor Control Rods	Neutron absorber	Limited use in nuclear reactors
Nuclear Research	Research material	Nuclear physics studies

6.6. Metallurgy

Application	Function	Details
Oxygen Scavenger	Deoxidizer	Steel and alloy production
Grain Size Control	Grain refiner	Casting quality improvement
Flux Agent	Flux	Metal processing

7. SECTOR SUITABILITY TABLE

Sector	Suitability	Description
Metallurgy	✅	Alloy additive and oxygen scavenger
Automotive	✅	Catalyst support and ferrocerium
Electronics	✅	Vacuum tubes and emission surfaces
Defense	✅	Pyrotechnics and specialty alloys
Cosmetics	❌	Not suitable for direct use
Food & Pharmaceutical	❌	Elemental form prohibited

8. ALTERNATIVE MATERIALS COMPARISON

Application Area	Alternative Materials	Notes
Ferrocerium	Lanthanum Metal, Mischmetal	Similar sparking properties
Grain Refinement	Neodymium, Lanthanum	Similar grain refining properties
Catalyst Support	Zirconium, Lanthanum	Different oxygen storage capacity
Alloy Additive	Lanthanum, Yttrium	Similar alloying properties

9. SAFETY AND TOXICOLOGY

Parameter	Value
Acute Oral Toxicity (LD50, Rat)	> 2,000 mg/kg
Dermal Toxicity	Low
Skin Irritation	Mechanical irritant
Eye Irritation	Mechanical irritant
Inhalation	Dust may cause respiratory irritation
Carcinogenicity	Not classified as a carcinogen
Mutagenicity	Not mutagenic
Environmental Hazards	Low to moderate toxicity to aquatic life
Pyrophoricity	Powder form is pyrophoric (spontaneously ignites in air)

10. GHS CLASSIFICATION

Hazard Class	Category	H-Statement
Flammable Solid	Category 1	H228: Flammable solid
Substances which in contact with water emit flammable gases	Category 2	H261: In contact with water releases flammable gas
Skin Irritation	Category 2	H315: Causes skin irritation
Eye Irritation	Category 2	H319: Causes serious eye irritation
Specific Target Organ Toxicity	Category 3	H335: May cause respiratory irritation

Signal Word: DANGER

Hazard Pictograms: GHS02 (Flame), GHS07 (Exclamation Mark)

UN Number: 3089 (Metal powder, flammable, n.o.s.)

11. PRECAUTIONARY STATEMENTS (P-CODES)

Code	Statement
P210	Keep away from heat/sparks/open flames/hot surfaces. No smoking
P233	Keep container tightly closed
P240	Ground/bond container and receiving equipment
P241	Use explosion-proof electrical equipment
P261	Avoid breathing dust
P264	Wash hands thoroughly after handling
P280	Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection
P302+P352	IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of soap and water
P304+P340	IF INHALED: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing
P305+P351+P338	IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses if present
P335+P334	Brush off loose particles. Store in a cool, ventilated area
P337+P313	If eye irritation persists: Get medical advice/attention
P370+P378	In case of fire: Use dry sand, dry chemical, or Class D fire extinguisher
P402+P404	Store in a dry place. Store in a closed container
P501	Dispose of contents/container in accordance with local regulations

12. FIRST AID MEASURES

Route of Exposure	Action to Be Taken
Inhalation	Move to fresh air. If symptoms persist, seek medical attention
Skin Contact	Wash with plenty of soap and water. Remove contaminated clothing
Eye Contact	Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Remove contact lenses. If irritation persists, seek medical attention
Ingestion	Rinse mouth. If conscious, drink water. Do not induce vomiting. Seek medical attention

13. STORAGE AND SHELF LIFE

Parameter	Condition
Storage Conditions	Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area
Container Requirements	Sealed, moisture-proof containers under inert gas
Moisture Protection	Keep away from water and moisture
Temperature	Room temperature (15-25°C)
Shelf Life	24 months under proper conditions
Stability Note	Rapidly oxidizes in air; must be stored in inert atmosphere or under oil

14. PACKAGING OPTIONS

Packaging Type	Quantity	Material
Steel Drum	25 kg, 50 kg	Sealed, inert gas purged
Plastic Drum	25 kg, 50 kg	HDPE drum with inert gas
Glass Ampoule	10 g, 50 g, 100 g	Sealed under inert gas
Vacuum Bag	1 kg, 5 kg	Aluminum foil, vacuum-sealed
Steel Canister	Bulk quantities	Sealed with oil or inert gas

15. TRANSPORT INFORMATION

Parameter	Information
UN Number	3089 (Metal powder, flammable, n.o.s.)
Hazard Class	4.1 (Flammable solids)
Packing Group	II / III
ADR/RID	Regulated
IMDG	Regulated
IATA	Regulated
HS Code	2805.30.10.00.11

16. REGULATORY STATUS

Region / Authority	Status
European Union (REACH)	Registered
Turkey (KKDIK)	Compliance required
TSCA (USA)	Registered
EINECS	231-154-9
Food / Cosmetics	Not approved

17. OTHER NAMES AND SYNONYMS

Elemental Cerium
Metallic Cerium
Cerium Metal
Silver Cerium
Rare Earth Metal
Ferrocerium Alloy Component
Ce Metal

18. QUICK REFERENCE TABLE

Property	Value
CAS Number	7440-45-1
EC Number	231-154-9
HS Code	2805.30.10.00.11
Chemical Symbol	Ce
Atomic Number	58
Atomic Weight	140.12 g/mol
Appearance	Silver-gray metal, soft and ductile
Density	6.77 g/cm³
Melting Point	798 °C
Boiling Point	3443 °C
Crystal Structure	Face-Centered Cubic (FCC)
UN Number	3089
Hazard Class	4.1
GHS Signal Word	DANGER

19. CRITICAL NOTICES AND BEST PRACTICES

CRITICAL NOTICES:

Pyrophoric Hazard: Cerium powder is pyrophoric and can spontaneously ignite in air. Must be handled under inert atmosphere.
Rapid Oxidation: Cerium metal oxidizes rapidly in air. Must be stored in inert atmosphere or under oil.
Reaction with Water: Reacts with water to release hydrogen gas, which is explosive.
Flammability: Fine powders and dust can form explosive mixtures in air.
Reaction with Acids: Reacts vigorously with acids, releasing hydrogen gas.
Storage Requirement: Must be stored in sealed containers under inert gas (argon) or mineral oil.
Environmental Hazard: May be harmful to aquatic life.

BEST PRACTICE RECOMMENDATIONS:

Storage:

Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area
Use sealed containers under inert gas (argon) or mineral oil
Keep away from water, moisture, and acids
Store away from oxidizers and halogens

Handling:

Use in well-ventilated areas or glove boxes
Use protective goggles, gloves, and flame-resistant clothing
Ground all equipment to prevent static discharge
Avoid dust formation
Use explosion-proof equipment

Waste Management:

Dispose in accordance with local regulations
Do not discharge into water bodies
Consider rare earth recovery for large quantities

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

This Technical Data Sheet (TDS) is for informational purposes only and is prepared based on available technical data. The user is solely responsible for determining the suitability of the product for their specific application and for complying with all local, national, and international regulations. For complete safety, storage, handling, transport, waste, and regulatory compliance information, the official Safety Data Sheet (SDS/MSDS) provided by the manufacturer/supplier must be consulted. This document does not substitute professional advice. Cerium metal is a reactive and flammable material; appropriate precautions must be taken during handling.

Cerium Metal, Elemental Cerium, Metallic Cerium, 7440-45-1