Applications
Ytterbium is sometimes associated with Yttrium or other related elements and is
used in certain steels. Its metal could be used to help improve the grain
refinement, strength, and other mechanical properties of stainless steel. Some
Ytterbium alloys have been used in dentistry. One Ytterbium isotope has been
used as a radiation source substitute for a portable X-ray machine when
electricity was not available. Like other rare-earth elements, it can be used to
dope phosphors, or for ceramic capacitors and other electronic devices, and it
can even act as an industrial catalyst.
Ytterbium in the environment
Ytterbium is found with other rare earth elements in several rare minerals as
gadolinite, monazite, and xenotime . Natural Ytterbium is a mix of seven stable
isotopes. It is most often recovered commercially from monazite sand (~0.03%
Ytterbium). The main mining areas are China, US, Brazil, India, Sri Lanka, and
Australia and reserves of Ytterbium are estimated to be around a million tonnes.
World production of Ytterbium is around 50 tonnes per year.
Health effects of Ytterbium
Ytterbium has no biological role, but it has been noted that its salts stimulate
metabolism. Ytterbium is a skin and eye irritant and it is also a suspected
teratogen. All compounds should be stored in closed containers, protected from
air and moisture and treated as highly toxic.
Effects of Ytterbium on the environment
Metallic Ytterbium dust poses a fire and explosion hazard. Ytterbium poses no
threat to plants and animals and its salts are being introduced into the
chemical industry as catalysts in place of ones that are regarded as toxic and
polluting.