Praseodymium and Neodymium - Comparison - Properties

This article contains comparison of key thermal and atomic properties of praseodymium and neodymium, two comparable chemical elements from the periodic table. It also contains basic descriptions and applications of both elements. Praseodymium vs Neodymium.

praseodymium and neodymium - comparison

Compare praseodymium with another element

Compare neodymium with another element

Praseodymium and Neodymium – About Elements

Praseodymium

Praseodymium is a soft, silvery, malleable and ductile metal, valued for its magnetic, electrical, chemical, and optical properties. Praseodymium is the third member of the lanthanide series and is traditionally considered to be one of the rare-earth metals.

Neodymium

Neodymium is a soft silvery metal that tarnishes in air. Neodymium is not found naturally in metallic form or unmixed with other lanthanides, and it is usually refined for general use. Although neodymium is classed as a rare earth, it is a fairly common element.

Praseodymium in Periodic Table

Neodymium in Periodic Table

Source: www.luciteria.com

Praseodymium and Neodymium – Applications

Praseodymium

Praseodymium is used in a variety of alloys. The high-strength alloy it forms with magnesium is used in aircraft engines. Mischmetal is an alloy containing about 5% praseodymium and is used to make flints for cigarette lighters. In combination with neodymium, another rare-earth element, praseodymium is used to create high-power magnets notable for their strength and durability. Praseodymium compounds give glasses and enamels a yellow color.

Neodymium

The most important use for neodymium is in an alloy with iron and boron to make very strong permanent magnets. These magnets are widely used in such products as microphones, professional loudspeakers, in-ear headphones, high performance hobby DC electric motors, and computer hard disks, where low magnet mass (or volume) or strong magnetic fields are required. Larger neodymium magnets are used in high-power-versus-weight electric motors (for example in hybrid cars) and generators (for example aircraft and wind turbine electric generators). Neodymium is a component, along with praseodymium, of didymium glass. This is a special glass for goggles used during glass blowing and welding. The element colours glass delicate shades of violet, wine-red and grey. Neodymium is also used in the glass for tanning booths, since it transmits the tanning UV rays but not the heating infrared rays.

Praseodymium and Neodymium – Comparison in Table

Element	Praseodymium	Neodymium
Density	6.64 g/cm3	7.01 g/cm3
Ultimate Tensile Strength	110 MPa	155 MPa
Yield Strength	103 MPa	150 MPa
Young’s Modulus of Elasticity	37.3 GPa	41.4 GPa
Mohs Scale	N/A	N/A
Brinell Hardness	490 MPa	265 MPa
Vickers Hardness	400 MPa	360 MPa
Melting Point	931 °C	1016 °C
Boiling Point	3130 °C	3074 °C
Thermal Conductivity	13 W/mK	17 W/mK
Thermal Expansion Coefficient	6.7 µm/mK	9.6 µm/mK
Specific Heat	0.19 J/g K	0.19 J/g K
Heat of Fusion	6.89 kJ/mol	7.14 kJ/mol
Heat of Vaporization	296.8 kJ/mol	273 kJ/mol