Dysprosium oxide

Dysprosium oxide (CAS 1308-87-8), systematic name dysprosium(III) oxide and commercially known as dysprosia, is an inorganic rare earth oxide with the molecular formula Dy₂O₃ and a molecular weight of 372.998 g/mol.

Where is Dysprosium oxide used?

• Magnetics and electronics: precursor for dysprosium metal and dysprosium–iron alloys added to sintered NdFeB permanent magnets, increasing coercivity so magnets in traction motors and wind-turbine generators maintain flux density at elevated temperatures
• Specialty glass and optical manufacturing: glass additive imparting distinctive absorption in the visible and near-infrared spectrum
• Halogen lamp electrodes and arc-source components: high melting point and spectral emission properties
• Nuclear and energy: neutron-absorbing material in reactor control rods and burnable absorber compositions, owing to dysprosium's high thermal neutron capture cross-section
• Laser and photonics: active dopant source in Dy:YAG gain media for mid-infrared laser development in industrial sensing and oil and gas spectroscopic analysis
• It is supplied exclusively for industrial, research, and advanced materials use.

Good to know: No pharmacopoeial (USP, Ph. Eur.) or food-grade designations apply.

Commercial specifications

• Purity grades 99 % to 99.999 % on a rare earth oxide basis, expressed as Dy₂O₃/TREO ≥ 99 % through ≥ 99.999 %, with TREO as reference basis
• Lot sizes 100 g research quantities up to 25 kg industrial packs; larger consignments in standard bulk formats
• Density approximately 7.81 g/cm³; melting point around 2,340 °C
• Pale yellow to white powder