Discovered by Jöns Jacob Berzelius in 1803, cerium is the 58th element and the 2nd element in the lanthanide element table. While it is called one of the four rare earth elements, it is in fact the opposite and is more common than lead in the earth's crust. Sometimes cerium causes fires- if it ever does, never use water to put it out. Cerium reacts to water and releases a gas that is more deadly than the fire itself.
Cerium is used in many thing, including:
- Heat resistant alloys, particularly aluminum alloys
- Cast irons
- Steel production, including stainless steel
- Refining of grain
- Magnets
- Arc welding
- Lighter flint
- Motion picture industry
- Self cleaning ovens
- Glass
- Petroleum refinement
- Oxidizing agent
- Catalysts in organic synthesis
No comments:
Post a Comment