Samarium - Sm

Samarium (Sm)

Samarium is a silvery lanthanide metal. It is more stable in dry air than many rare-earth metals, but forms an oxide layer in moist air and reacts with acids. It occurs in rare-earth minerals, usually alongside other lanthanides.

Uses and applications

Samarium–cobalt magnets retain useful magnetic properties at elevated temperatures and are used in specialised motors and equipment. Samarium compounds also have applications in research and in materials that absorb neutrons.

Samarium and water treatment

Samarium is not a routine reagent in water-treatment plants. It may be present in process waters or residues from rare-earth mining, separation, and recycling. Monitoring and treatment choices depend on the full stream composition and the chemical form of the samarium.

Occurrence and environmental context

Samarium is recovered from minerals such as monazite and bastnäsite. Its transport in the environment depends on dissolution, adsorption to mineral surfaces, and other local geochemical conditions.

Health and safety

Potential health effects vary among samarium compounds and depend on exposure. Avoid inhaling dust and follow the substance-specific safety data sheet and workplace controls.

Back to the periodic table of elements