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

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

🧪 CERIUM METAL

1️⃣ Physical and Chemical Properties

• Chemical Name: Elemental Cerium

• Chemical Symbol: Ce

• CAS Number: 7440-45-1

• EC Number: 231-154-9

• Atomic Number: 58

• Atomic Weight: 140.12 g/mol

• Appearance: Silvery-gray metal, soft and malleable

• Melting Point: 798 °C

• Boiling Point: 3443 °C

• Density: 6.77 g/cm³

• Reactivity: Rapidly oxidizes in air, reacts with water

• Crystal Structure: Face-centered cubic (FCC)

2️⃣ Detailed Applications

• Lighter flints: Used in ferrocerium alloys for spark generation

• Alloying agent: Grain refiner in aluminum, iron, and magnesium alloys

• Catalyst support: In automotive exhaust systems

• Vacuum tubes and electronics: Electron emission surfaces

• Nuclear applications: Limited use in reactor control rods

• Defense industry: Pyrotechnics and specialty alloy systems

• Metallurgy: Oxygen scavenger and grain control additive

3️⃣ Synonyms, CAS, EC, and Codes

4️⃣ Alternatives / Substitutes

• Neodymium Metal (Nd): Alternative in magnetic and alloy applications

• Lanthanum Metal (La): Similar role in flints and catalyst systems

• Zirconium Metal (Zr): Substitute in high-temperature alloys

• Ferrocerium Alloy: Commercial spark-producing form containing cerium

5️⃣ Sectoral Compatibility Table

6️⃣ Common Names

• Lighter metal

• Ferrocerium alloy

• Silvery cerium

• Rare earth metal

7️⃣ Production

• Ore Source: Monazite and bastnäsite rare earth ores

• Process: Acid leaching → Solution purification → Electrolysis or thermal reduction

• Forms Available: Powder, granules, ingots, alloy form

• Main Producer Countries: China, USA, Australia

• Commercial Purity Grades: 99% to 99.99%

8️⃣ Mandatory Sectors and Processes

• Lighter manufacturing: Essential component in ferrocerium alloys

• Automotive catalysts: Preferred as a support material

• Defense industry: Critical in pyrotechnics and specialty alloys

• Vacuum electronics: Used in electron emission surfaces