Holmium

Name:
Holmium
Detailed information:
Ho. Metallic element of atomic number 67, group IIIB of the periodic table, one of the rare-earth elements of the yttrium subgroup, aw 164.9303, valence of 3, no stable isotopes.See Rare Earth Rare Metal.

Properties:

Crystalline solid with metallic luster. D 8.803, mp 1470C, bp 2720C. Reacts slowly with water; soluble in dilute acids. Has one of the highest nuclear moments of any rare earth. Important magnetic and electrical properties.

Occurrence:

In gadolinite and monazite.

Derivation:

Reduction of the fluoride by calcium.

Grade:

Lumps, ingots, bulk sponge, powder. Highest purity is nuclear grade 99.9+%.

Use:

Getter in vacuum tubes, research in electrochemistry, spectroscopy.