Named after Ytterby , a village in Sweden. It is soft, malleable, silvery metal. Reacts slowly with water. Dissolves in acids. Metal ignites and burns readily.
Erbium oxide is used in ceramics to obtain a pink glaze.
Also a few uses in the nuclear industry and as an alloying agent for other exotic metals. If you have comments, correction or suggestions about this site, please send me an e-mail .