Praseodymium
A light rare-earth metal co-produced with neodymium and used primarily in NdPr (didymium) feedstock for NdFeB permanent magnets that power EV traction motors and automotive actuators.
Overview
Praseodymium (symbol Pr, atomic number 59) is a soft, silvery rare-earth metal with a density of about 6.77 g/cm³ and a melting point near 931°C. In the automotive magnet value chain it is almost always handled as NdPr (didymium) metal or oxide rather than as a standalone alloying addition. Substituting a fraction of neodymium with praseodymium in Nd2Fe14B-type magnets reduces cost and can fine-tune coercivity and remanence for traction motors, EPS, pumps and ADAS actuators. Praseodymium also appears in yellow ceramic pigments, specialty glasses and some nickel-metal-hydride electrode chemistries. Upstream supply follows light rare-earth separation circuits dominated by China, with additional capacity from Australia (Mt Weld via Lynas) and emerging US/EU projects. Because EV motor magnet demand is scaling faster than diversified separation capacity, praseodymium inherits the same geopolitical and pricing risk profile as neodymium on OEM critical-materials dashboards.
Automotive Applications
Similar Materials
Samarium
Rare Earth Element
A rare-earth metal used as feedstock for samarium–cobalt (SmCo) permanent magnets that retain performance at high temperature and in corrosive environments. Distinct from finished SmCo magnet products already catalogued separately.
Tellurium
Metalloid
A brittle metalloid recovered almost entirely as a byproduct of copper electrolytic refining. Used in thermoelectrics, free-machining steels and specialty semiconductors relevant to automotive thermal management and electronics.
Lanthanum
Rare Earth Element
The lightest rare-earth metal, used in nickel–metal hydride battery electrodes, FCC and automotive catalysts, optical glasses and polishing compounds. Abundant among REEs but still tied to concentrated separation capacity.
Scandium
Rare Earth Element
A light rare-earth / transition metal used in Al-Sc alloys for high-strength lightweight structures and increasingly in additive manufacturing. Supply is limited and concentrated in China, Russia and emerging Australian projects.
Properties
Category
Type
Rare Earth Element
Available Colors
Available Forms
Key Properties
- Light rare-earth co-product of neodymium separation
- Key constituent of commercial NdPr magnet metal
- Tunes cost and magnetic performance of NdFeB
- Soft, reactive rare-earth metal
- Supply tied to Chinese-dominated REE separation
- Critical input for EV electrification BOMs
Technical Specifications
Density
6.77 g/cm³
Tensile Strength
Not used as a structural metal; consumed as magnet alloy feedstock
Temperature Resistance
Melts at ~931°C; magnet duty cycles governed by NdFeB grade (typically 120–180°C+ with HRE additions)
Sustainability
Sustainability Rating
Praseodymium is recovered together with neodymium in magnet recycling programmes, but collection rates from end-of-life vehicles remain low. Primary production involves energy- and chemically intensive rare-earth separation with concentrated capacity in China. Closed-loop OEM magnet take-back is the highest-leverage sustainability lever for NdPr.