Ytterbium

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1994 · Elements

OSTI ID:427054

The crustal abundance of ytterbium amounts to three parts per million, the same as tin, bromine and boron, and just above uranium, beryllium and arsenic. Ytterbium occurs as a minor to moderate constituent in most of the rare earth minerals. The apparent ytterbium contents of these various minerals in combination with production data for the countries involved provide the basis for calculation of the production potential for ytterbium. This potential amounts to about 40 tons per year. Much of this potential is unrealized, however, since ytterbium is only recovered when: (1) Markets exist in which it can be sold, (2) The sales price exceeds the cost of production.

• OSTI ID: 427054
• Journal Information: Elements, Vol. 2, Issue 4; Other Information: PBD: Jan 1994
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
14 SOLAR ENERGY
YTTERBIUM
SUPPLY AND DEMAND
RESERVES
PRICES
TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION
PHOTOVOLTAIC CONVERSION