Yttrium - 39Y: uses
The following uses for yttrium are gathered from a number of sources as well as from anecdotal comments. I would be delighted to receive corrections as well as additional referenced uses.
- YVO4 europium, and Y203 europium phosphors give the red colour in colour television tubes
- the oxide is used to produce yttrium-iron-garnets, which are very effective microwave filters
- yttrium iron, aluminum, and gadolinium garnets have interesting magnetic properties. Yttrium iron garnet is also exceptionally efficient as both a transmitter and transducer of acoustic energy
- yttrium aluminium garnet is a gemstone (simulated diamond)
- used in laser systems
- used as a catalyst for ethene polymerization
- potential use in ceramic and glasses as the oxide has a high melting point and imparts shock resistance and low expansion characteristics to glass
- increases increase the strengths of alloys of metals such as chromium, aluminium, and magnesium