Exotic Metals Used in Machining

Exotic metals are vital industrial materials due to their unique chemical and physical qualities. They are used in a wide range of applications in machining. Also used extensively in the defense industry, these metals have become very important in the field of machining.

Most of these exotic metals can and are processed into shapes such as ingots, pieces, wires, foils, slabs, rods, discs, and powders. Exotic metals are found in minerals that are widely distributed around the world. They are only extracted from specific areas due to larger quantities. The US does some extracting of these metals, but China does the majority. Others areas that export exotic metals are Brazil, India and Russia.

At elevated temperatures and when divided, exotic metals are soft, malleable and ductile. The most common exotic metals that are used separately are cerium, europium, gadolinium, neodymium, samarium and terbium. The most abundant of these metals is neodymium. Glass manufacturing highly values these metals due to their purple coloring. Samarium is used in laser applications and also in the making of specialty alloys. Cerium is considered the most efficient glass polishing agent and is also used to decolorize glass. It is also used in dental compositions and in steel manufacturing for removing oxygen, sulfides, and trace elements.