Yttrium Micron Powder ( Y, 99.5 %, 325 mesh )

Technical Description:

Yttrium Micron Powder (Y, 99.5%, 325 Mesh) is a high-purity powder composed of yttrium (Y) with a purity of 99.5%. The powder has a 325 mesh particle size, which corresponds to an average particle size of approximately 44 micrometers (µm). This fine powder is typically used in applications that require a balance of surface area, flowability, and mechanical properties. Yttrium is a rare-earth metal with excellent properties that make it valuable in several advanced technological applications.

• Chemical Composition:
  • Yttrium (Y) content: 99.5%, ensuring minimal contamination with other elements. This purity is important for applications where consistency and material integrity are critical.
• Particle Size:
  • The 325 mesh designation corresponds to a particle size of about 44 µm, which places the powder in the fine to medium particle size range. This size provides a high surface area while maintaining good flowability, making it ideal for various manufacturing and coating applications.
• Shape:
  • The powder particles are typically irregular or slightly spherical, depending on the production process. Irregularly shaped particles may offer better interlocking properties, which can be beneficial in certain sintering or coating processes.
• Purity:
  • With 99.5% purity, the powder is suitable for applications that require high-quality, reliable materials, such as in high-performance alloys, electronics, and specialized coatings.

Applications:

1. High-Temperature Superconductors:
   • Yttrium is widely used in the production of high-temperature superconductors (HTS), particularly in combination with other rare-earth elements. The fine 325 mesh yttrium powder is used to make yttrium barium copper oxide (YBCO), a superconducting material that operates at higher temperatures than traditional superconductors. These materials are used in applications like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), particle accelerators, and power transmission.
2. Alloy Production:
   • Yttrium powder is used in the production of high-performance alloys such as yttrium-aluminum garnet (YAG) and yttrium iron garnet (YIG). These alloys are known for their high thermal stability, corrosion resistance, and high strength, making them ideal for applications in aerospace, defense, and automotive industries.
3. Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing):
   • Yttrium powder is used in additive manufacturing techniques such as selective laser melting (SLM) and electron beam melting (EBM). The 325 mesh powder is ideal for creating high-performance components in industries like aerospace, automotive, and electronics where precise, high-strength parts are needed. Yttrium-based powders can be combined with other materials to produce advanced metal matrix composites.
4. Phosphors and Display Technology:
   • Yttrium is a key material in the production of phosphors for displays, including LEDs and cathode ray tube (CRT) displays. Yttrium phosphates and yttrium oxide are commonly used in fluorescent materials that emit bright, stable light. The fine yttrium powder is used to produce red phosphors in color television and flat-panel display technologies.
5. Coatings and Surface Treatments:
   • Yttrium-based coatings are used for their corrosion resistance and high-temperature stability. Yttrium oxide (Y₂O₃) is often applied to metal substrates to improve their performance in harsh environments, such as in turbine blades, heat exchangers, and engine components in the aerospace and automotive industries.
6. Battery Technology:
   • Yttrium is used in the production of high-performance batteries, particularly in lithium-ion batteries and solid-state batteries. The yttrium powder is used in the production of cathodes and electrodes for batteries that are known for their high energy density, stability, and longer life cycle.
7. Catalysts:
   • Yttrium is used as a catalyst in various chemical processes. The fine yttrium powder is used to create catalysts for processes like hydrogenation and petrochemical refining. Yttrium is often used in combination with other metals such as platinum, palladium, and rhodium to enhance catalytic activity and improve reaction rates.
8. Nuclear Applications:
   • Yttrium is used in nuclear reactors as part of control rods and moderators. Yttrium can absorb neutrons and is used in certain alloys for nuclear reactor components due to its radiation stability and thermal conductivity. The yttrium powder is also utilized in radiation shielding materials.
9. Hydrogen Storage:
   • Yttrium is used in hydrogen storage applications due to its ability to absorb hydrogen gas. Yttrium-based alloys can form metal hydrides that store hydrogen efficiently, which is useful for fuel cell technologies and hydrogen storage systems. The fine powder helps to improve the material’s hydrogen absorption capacity and storage efficiency.
10. Laser Materials:
    • Yttrium-based materials, such as yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG), are used in the production of lasers, including solid-state lasers. These lasers are used in a wide variety of applications, from medical procedures (e.g., laser surgery) to material processing and communication technologies. Yttrium powder is used to produce high-quality laser crystals that offer excellent optical properties.

Summary of Benefits:

• High Purity: The 99.5% purity ensures minimal contamination, making the powder suitable for high-performance applications in electronics, aerospace, and medical fields.
• Particle Size (325 Mesh): The 325 mesh particle size (approximately 44 µm) offers an excellent balance between surface area and handling properties, making it ideal for additive manufacturing, sintering, and coating applications.
• Spherical Shape: The spherical particles provide superior flowability and packing density, which is crucial for processes like additive manufacturing, powder metallurgy, and coating applications.
• Versatility: The powder is widely used in electronics, energy storage, aerospace, medical, chemical processing, and laser technologies, showcasing its broad range of applications in high-tech industries.

Conclusion:

Yttrium Micron Powder (99.5%, 325 Mesh) is a high-performance material with a broad spectrum of applications in industries such as electronics, aerospace, medical, energy storage, and chemical processing. Its high purity, medium particle size, and spherical shape make it ideal for producing advanced components and materials used in demanding environments. Whether in additive manufacturing, phosphor production, or hydrogen storage, yttrium powder plays a vital role in ensuring the performance, durability, and reliability of products across a variety of industries.