Yttrium

Yttrium: uses

The following uses for yttrium are gathered from a number of sources as well as from anecdotal comments. I'd be delighted to receive corrections as well as additional referenced uses (please use the feedback mechanism to add 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

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