Modern Bt Techniques - Florence 2016

Ytterbium

euxenite

Ytterbium is never found in nature as free element. Its abundance in Earth's crust by is weight of 3200 ppb (parts per billion – 10 9 ). Ytterbium is found in the ore monazite sand [(Ce, La, etc.)PO4] and an ore containing small amounts of all the rare earth metals. It is also found in the ores euxenite and xenotime. It is difficult to separate from other rare earth elements. Ion exchange and solvent extraction techniques developed since the 1940's have lowered the cost of production.

Natural abundance: 168 Yb 0.13%, 170 Yb 3.04%, 171 Yb 14.28%, 172 Yb 21.83%, 173 Yb 16.13%, 174 Yb 31.83%, 176 Yb 12.76% Melting point: 824 ° C, Density: 6.73 g.cm -3