Knowra Neodymium Neodymium Neodymium is a silvery rare-earth metal with atomic number 60. Its strong magnetic behavior makes it a key ingredient in powerful permanent magnets and specialized materials.
Neodymium magnet : A permanent magnet made primarily from neodymium, iron, and boron, known for exceptionally high magnetic strength. Neodymium’s largest practical use is in these compact, powerful magnets.
Lanthanide : A member of the 15-element series from lanthanum to lutetium, characterized by filling of the 4f electron shell. Neodymium belongs to this chemically related series of rare-earth elements.
Carl Auer von Welsbach : An Austrian chemist who separated didymium into neodymium and praseodymium in 1885. His chemical separation established neodymium as a distinct element.
Rare-earth element : One of the lanthanides, plus scandium and yttrium, with similar chemical properties and frequent geological association. Neodymium’s economic and supply story is part of the broader rare-earth industry.
Samarium–cobalt magnet : A permanent magnet made mainly from samarium and cobalt, noted for high-temperature stability and corrosion resistance. It can replace neodymium magnets when heat resistance matters more than maximum strength.
Electric motor : A machine that converts electrical energy into mechanical motion through electromagnetic forces. Neodymium magnets enable compact, high-torque motors in vehicles and appliances.
Electron configuration : The distribution of an atom’s electrons among its orbitals and energy levels. Neodymium’s 4f electrons shape its magnetic and spectroscopic properties.
Didymium : A mixture of rare-earth elements once mistakenly treated as a single element, chiefly neodymium and praseodymium. Neodymium was identified when didymium was split into its constituent elements.
Rare-earth industry in China : China’s large-scale mining, separation, and processing sector for rare-earth elements. Its dominance in rare-earth processing affects the global availability of neodymium.
Alnico : A family of permanent magnets made primarily from aluminum, nickel, cobalt, and iron. Alnico offers an established non-rare-earth alternative in some magnet applications.
Show all 27