An introduction to samarium

Samarium demand and end-uses

Samarium's versatile applications in magnets, electronics, nuclear energy, and medical technologies continue to drive demand for this critical rare earth element. While samarium-cobalt magnets remain its most commercially significant use, emerging technologies in hydrogen production, pharmaceuticals, and advanced materials suggest that the element's industrial relevance will continue to expand. As global industries increasingly prioritise high-performance materials, particularly in defence, renewable energy, and medical science, samarium is expected to remain a strategically valuable element in the years ahead.

Among its many applications, the most significant driver of samarium demand is the production of samarium-cobalt (SmCo) magnets. These high-performance permanent magnets exhibit exceptional magnetic properties, temperature stability, and corrosion resistance, making them valuable across multiple industries. Unlike neodymium magnets, SmCo magnets retain their magnetic strength under extreme temperature conditions, making them particularly suitable for specialised applications in harsh environments where stability and durability are essential.

SmCo magnets are used in various industries, including:

• Automotive Sector – Found in components such as locking systems and windshield wipers, with increasing usage in electric and hybrid vehicles where efficiency and durability are essential.

• Aerospace and Defence – Used in high-precision equipment and advanced military weaponry, where SmCo magnets provide stability under extreme conditions.

• Consumer Electronics – Employed in headphones, speakers, and other electronic devices that require strong, stable magnets for optimal performance.

• Medical Technology – Utilised in MRI machines and other medical equipment, where reliable magnetic properties are critical for imaging applications.

Beyond its role in magnets, samarium plays an important role in various electronic and technology applications, leveraging its unique magnetic and optical properties. These include:

• Computer Memory Storage – Samarium compounds are used to enhance data storage capabilities, benefiting next-generation memory and computing technologies.

• Optical Fibres and Lasers – Samarium-doped materials improve signal transmission and beam quality, making them essential for telecommunications and laser technologies.

• Display Technologies – Contributes to improved clarity and performance in visual displays, benefiting high-resolution screens and advanced imaging systems.

• Sensors and Actuators – Used in automated systems for precise detection and control, particularly in robotics and industrial automation.

Samarium also has important applications in the nuclear energy sector, particularly due to its ability to absorb neutrons.

• Neutron Absorbers – The isotope samarium-149 (Sm-149) is used in nuclear reactor control rods to regulate nuclear reactions, ensuring safe and stable reactor operations.

• Hydrogen Production Catalysts – Samarium-based catalysts, such as Co/Sm₂O₃ catalysts, are being explored for the dry reforming of methane, a promising method for hydrogen production, which is critical for clean energy technologies.

The medical sector represents a growing application area for samarium, particularly in diagnostic and therapeutic fields.

• Medical Imaging – Samarium is used in certain diagnostic procedures, contributing to high-resolution imaging techniques.

• Cancer Treatment – Samarium-153 is employed in bone cancer treatments, particularly in targeted radiotherapy for pain relief in patients with bone metastases.

• Pharmaceutical Catalysis – Samarium acetylacetonate and other samarium compounds are used as catalysts in organic synthesis, playing a key role in pharmaceutical manufacturing and industrial chemical processes.

Recent technological breakthroughs are expected to expand the potential applications of samarium across multiple industries. 

• In catalysis, researchers have developed a visible-light-antenna ligand that coordinates with stable trivalent samarium compounds. When exposed to visible light, these compounds are reduced to divalent samarium, enabling chemical reactions under milder conditions and with smaller amounts of samarium. This innovation enhances efficiency and reduces costs in catalysis-driven industries.

• New Samarium Foil Applications – Emerging uses for samarium foil include magnetic refrigeration, catalysis, medical imaging, and quantum computing, which represent significant growth opportunities for the element.

• Electric Vehicle Expansion – As the automotive industry continues its transition towards electric vehicles (EVs), the demand for samarium-cobalt magnets in EV motors and components is set to rise significantly.

• Renewable Energy Growth – Samarium is increasingly being used in wind turbines and other renewable energy technologies, supporting global efforts to transition away from fossil fuels.

• Advanced Electronics – The miniaturisation and integration of electronic components is creating new demand for samarium in high-tech applications, including smartphones, wearables, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

Samarium supply

Samarium is primarily found in monazite and bastnäsite, two of the most commercially significant rare earth minerals. These minerals are mined in regions rich in rare earth deposits, including China, the United States, Australia, Russia, India, Brazil, Vietnam, and Canada. However, compared to cerium, samarium is less abundant and more challenging to extract in high concentrations, making its supply more dependent on the demand for other rare earth elements.

Beyond monazite and bastnäsite, samarium is also present in several other rare earth-bearing minerals, such as allanite, cerite, loparite, aeschynite, xenotime, synchysite, parisite, thorite, zircon, and eudialyte. However, the economic viability of extracting samarium from these sources depends largely on the concentration of samarium relative to other rare earth elements, as well as the presence of more commercially valuable elements such as neodymium, praseodymium, and dysprosium.