What is Lanthanum?

Lanthanum is a rare earth metal belonging to the category of lanthanides. It has many varied applications, such as catalysts in petroleum refineries or carbon lighting. Lanthanum, when added in small amounts, can decrease hardness of hard metals like molybdenum and impact resistance, ductility and malleability in steels. When lanthanum is added to glass, it improves the alkali resistance. Lanthanum is also favored for usage in special optical glasses such as infrared absorbing glass and lenses for cameras and telescopes, as well as in optical fibers. This rare earth is also a crucial component in X-rays and other varieties of lasers as it helps to significantly reduce the amount of harmful radiation that passes through. Lanthanum is also of vital use in energy and battery systems and is used in nickel metal hydride batteries, laptops, and mobile electronic devices. It is also used in hydrogen fuel cells the automotive industry.