Samarium

Name:
Samarium
Detailed information:

M Formula:	Sm
Properties:
Hard, brittle metal that quickly develops an oxide film in air. An active reducing agent. Ignites at 150C, liberates hydrogen from water. D 7.53, mp 1072C, bp 1900C, hardness similar to iron, high neutron absorption capacity. Combustible.
Occurrence:
Australia, Brazil, southeastern U.S., South Africa; also from bastnasite ore in California.
Derivation:
Reduction of the oxide with barium or lanthanum.
Use:
Neutron absorber, dopant for laser crystals, metallurgical research, permanent magnets.