The worth of yttrium varies significantly depending on its form (metal or oxide), purity level, and the terms of delivery. As a rare earth element, its price is influenced by market demand, supply chain dynamics, and specific material specifications.
Current Market Prices for Yttrium
Yttrium is traded in different forms, primarily as yttrium metal and yttrium oxides, each with specific purity levels and pricing structures. The delivery terms, such as Ex Works (EXW) or Free On Board (FOB), also impact the final price. EXW means the buyer is responsible for all costs and risks from the seller's premises, while FOB indicates the seller covers costs up to loading the goods onto a ship at the port of origin.
Here are the approximate market prices for various forms of yttrium:
| Commodity | Specification | Price in USD |
|---|---|---|
| Yttrium metal | 99.9% min EXW China | 30.5 - 33.4 |
| Yttrium metal | 99.9% min FOB China | 31.0 - 32.0 |
| Yttrium oxides | 99.999% min EXW China | 2976 - 3121 |
| Yttrium oxides | 99.999% min FOB China | 3.30 - 3.40 |
Key Factors Influencing Yttrium's Value
The price of yttrium is not static and is affected by several critical factors:
- Form of Yttrium:
- Yttrium Metal is generally used in metallurgical applications, often as an additive to alloys to enhance strength and corrosion resistance.
- Yttrium Oxides (Y2O3) are highly refined and primarily utilized in advanced technological applications requiring high purity, such as phosphors for displays, ceramics, and specialized optics. The higher purity grades of yttrium oxide typically command a much higher price due to the extensive processing required.
- Purity Level: As with many specialty materials, higher purity yttrium (e.g., 99.999% min compared to 99.9% min) is significantly more expensive. This is because achieving higher purity requires more sophisticated and costly refining processes.
- Delivery Terms: The quoted prices often specify terms like EXW (Ex Works) or FOB (Free On Board) from a particular region, such as China. These terms dictate who bears the cost and risk of transportation and insurance from the point of origin to the destination, thus influencing the final price the buyer pays.
- Market Demand and Supply: Like all commodities, the worth of yttrium is subject to the dynamics of global supply and demand. Increased industrial applications, technological advancements, or supply chain disruptions can cause price fluctuations.
Practical Applications Driving Yttrium Demand
Yttrium's unique properties make it indispensable in various high-tech industries, contributing to its sustained value:
- Television and Display Technology: Yttrium is a crucial component in red phosphors for cathode ray tube (CRT) displays and is still used in some LED and OLED applications, contributing to vibrant colors.
- Lasers: Yttrium-aluminum-garnet (YAG) lasers, often doped with neodymium (Nd:YAG), are widely used in medical, industrial, and scientific applications due to their high power output and precision.
- Superconductors: Yttrium barium copper oxide (YBCO) was one of the first high-temperature superconductors discovered, finding niche applications in specialized electrical devices.
- Ceramics: Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) is a durable ceramic material with excellent strength and high-temperature resistance, used in fuel cells, oxygen sensors, and dental prosthetics.
- Metallurgy: Small additions of yttrium can improve the strength, ductility, and corrosion resistance of various alloys, including aluminum, magnesium, and iron alloys.
The diverse and critical applications across advanced technologies ensure a consistent demand for yttrium, contributing to its continued worth in the global market.
