99.9%-99.99% Purity Erbium Er Nuclear Reactor Control Material CAS 7440-52-0

Erbium (Er): Nuclear Reactor Control Material, Activator for Fluorescent Materials

Erbium is a silver-white metal with element symbol Er. It melts at 1497°C, boils at 2868°C, and has a density of 9.006 g/cm³. Erbium is antiferromagnetic at low temperatures, becomes strongly ferromagnetic near absolute zero, and exhibits superconductivity. At room temperature, it slowly oxidizes in air and water, forming rose-red erbium oxide.

Applications

1. Used as control material in nuclear reactors.
2. Can serve as an activator for certain fluorescent materials.

Product Series

Health and Safety Information

Signal Word	Danger
Hazard Statements	N/A
Hazard Codes	F
Precautionary Statements	P210-P222-P231+P232-P370+P378-P422-P501
Flash Point	Not applicable
Risk Codes	N/A
Safety Statements	N/A
RTECS Number	N/A
Transport Information	UN 2813 4.3/PG 1
WGK Germany	3
GHS Pictogram

Packaging Specifications

• Standard packaging: 50 kg/drum, 500 kg/pallet, ton bags
• Sample packaging: 500 g/bag, 1 kg/bottle

Production Method

After separating erbium from other rare earth elements via ion exchange or solvent extraction, metallic erbium can be prepared through metallothermic reduction. Unlike calcium reduction of rare earth chlorides, lithium reduction occurs in the vapor phase.

The lithium reduction reactor features two heating zones, combining reduction and distillation in one unit. Anhydrous erbium chloride is placed in the upper titanium crucible (also serving as ErCl₃ distillation chamber), while lithium metal reductant is loaded in the lower crucible. The stainless steel reaction vessel is evacuated to 7Pa before heating.

At 1000°C, maintained for a specific duration, ErCl₃ vapor fully reacts with lithium vapor. Reduced erbium metal particles deposit in the lower crucible. Post-reduction, only the lower crucible is heated to distill LiCl to the upper crucible. The complete reduction process typically requires about 10 hours.

For high-purity erbium :

• Use 99.97% ultra-pure lithium reductant
• Employ doubly distilled anhydrous ErCl₃