To sponsor this element yourself, please contact Michelle Saxton, Dept.
Dysprosium has a metallic, bright silver luster, and is soft enough to be cut with a knife.
It is relatively stable in air at room temperature, but is readily attacked by mineral acids. Dysprosium has found uses in the production of laser materials, and for studying chemical reactions. Although dysprosium has not found many applications, its uses in nuclear contol devices, and a possibility of alloying it with special stainless steels are being explored since it has many of the desired physical properties.