Europium

Name:
Europium
Detailed information:

M Formula:	Eu
Properties:
Steel-gray metal, difficult to prepare, quite soft and malleable (DPH = 20). Mp 826C, bp approximately 1489C, d 5.24, oxidizes rapidly in air. May burn spontaneously. Most reactive of the rare-earth metals. Liberates hydrogen from water. Reduces metallic oxides.
Derivation:
Reduction of the oxide with lanthanum or misch metal.
Source:
Rare-earth minerals.
Grade:
High purity (ingots, lumps).
Hazard:
Highly reactive, may ignite spontaneously in powder form.
Use:
Neutron absorber in nuclear control, color-TV phosphors to activate yttrium, phosphors in postage-stamp glues to permit electronic recognition of first-class mail.