Image explanation
The imagery and symbols used here suggest the use of the element in the manufacture of purple glass.
Appearance
A fairly common but little used silvery metal. It is contained in some alloys for magnets, glass, glazes and lighter flints. Neodymium dust and salts are very irritating to the eyes.
Uses
Neodymium is present in misch metal up to 18%. This alloy is used in such products as cigarette lighters where a light flint operates. Neodymium is also a component, along with praseodymium, of didymia, a special glass used in goggles in glass blowing and welding. The element colours glass delicate shades of violet, wine-red and grey. It is used to make glass which transmits the tanning rays of the sun but not the harmful infrared rays.
Biological role
Neodymium has no known biological role, is moderately toxic and a known eye irritant.
Natural abundance
The principal sources of most lanthanides are the minerals monazite and bastnaesite. From these neodymium can extracted by ion exchange and solvent extraction techniques. The element can also be obtained by reducing the anhydrous chloride with calcium.