Europium

Description: Europium ignites in air at temperatures ranging from 150 to 180°C. Europium has a hardness similar to lead and is quite ductile. It is the most reactive rare-earth metal, oxidizing quickly in air. It resembles calcium when reacts with water. The main ores containing europium are bastnasite and monazite.

Source: Europium is now produced by combining Eu2O3 with a 10% excess of lanthanum metal and heating the mixture under high vacuum in a tantalum crucible. The element is collected as a silvery-white metallic deposit on the crucible’s walls.