Applications

• High-intensity permanent magnets, which are essential in electric motors and generators used in hybrid cars and wind turbines.
• Nickel metal hydride (NiMH) rechargeable batteries for hybrid automobiles. The negative electrode (cathode) in NiMH batteries is a mixture of metal hydrides – typically a rare earth misch metal hydride containing praseodymium, neodymium, lanthanum and cerium.
• An alloying agent with magnesium creating a high-strength metal for aircraft engines.
• Praseodymium is used to make specialised yellow glass goggles for glass blowers and welders. Praseodymium salts are used to colour glasses and enamels.
• Flame lighter flints use misch metal (a rare earth alloy) containing praseodymium to produce sparks by friction.
• Also used in the core of high-intensity carbon arc lights used by the film industry and in floodlighting.
• Colouring in ceramics.