Erbium

History

The first was Carl Masander who got an oxide of erbium in 1843, while investigating erbium concentrates. Its name got from the name of the village of Ytterbium, Ytterby Sweden; lat. Erbium.

Nowadays

The main application erbium is grade glass. It is able to absorb infrared light. This property is essential for protective glasses of welders, glassblower. Erbium is also used in lasers. He is added in metal alloys, such as vanadium to increase durability. The pink color is used in the manufacture of ceramics and glaze. There is also growing of using of erbium in the direction of the nuclear industry, namely in governing rods.