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Holmium and Ytterbium – Comparison – Properties

This article contains comparison of key thermal and atomic properties of holmium and ytterbium, two comparable chemical elements from the periodic table. It also contains basic descriptions and applications of both elements. Holmium vs Ytterbium.

holmium and ytterbium - comparison

Compare holmium with another element

Ytterbium - Properties - Price - Applications - Production

Compare ytterbium with another element

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Yttrium - Properties - Price - Applications - Production

Holmium and Ytterbium – About Elements

Holmium

Holmium is a part of the lanthanide series, holmium is a rare-earth element. Holmium is a relatively soft and malleable silvery-white metal.

Ytterbium

Because of its closed-shell electron configuration, its density and melting and boiling points differ significantly from those of most other lanthanides.

Holmium in Periodic Table

Ytterbium in Periodic Table

Source: www.luciteria.com

Holmium and Ytterbium – Applications

Holmium

Holmium has the highest magnetic strength of any element, and therefore is used to create the strongest artificially generated magnetic fields. Holmium can absorb neutrons, so it is used in nuclear reactors to keep a chain reaction under control. Its alloys are used in some magnets.

Ytterbium

Ytterbium is beginning to find a variety of uses, such as in memory devices and tuneable lasers. It can also be used as an industrial catalyst and is increasingly being used to replace other catalysts considered to be too toxic and polluting. A small amount of ytterbium is used to add strength to specific steel types. Ytterbium can also be used as a dopant to help improve the grain refinement, strength, and other mechanical properties of stainless steel.

Holmium and Ytterbium – Comparison in Table

Element Holmium Ytterbium
Density 8.795 g/cm3 6.57 g/cm3
Ultimate Tensile Strength 260 MPa 69 MPa
Yield Strength 220 MPa 66 MPa
Young’s Modulus of Elasticity 64.8 GPa 23.9 GPa
Mohs Scale N/A N/A
Brinell Hardness 750 MPa 340 MPa
Vickers Hardness 490 MPa 210 MPa
Melting Point 1474 °C 819 °C
Boiling Point 2600 °C 1196 °C
Thermal Conductivity 16 W/mK 39 W/mK
Thermal Expansion Coefficient 11.2 µm/mK 26.3 µm/mK
Specific Heat 0.16 J/g K 0.15 J/g K
Heat of Fusion 12.2 kJ/mol 7.66 kJ/mol
Heat of Vaporization 241 kJ/mol 128.9 kJ/mol