Gadolinium

Gadolinium in its pure state has a silvery-white luster and is ductile, but loses its luster in humid air when oxides form to cover the surface.Gadolinium is used in neutron radiography for internal metal detection, and in the aerospace and shipbuilding industries to detect cracks and structural defects in the hulls and fuselages of ships.The two isotopes of Gadolinium are effective neutron absorbers and are commonly used in the manufacture of control rods for nuclear reactors. Both isotopes of Gadolinium are effective neutron absorbers and are commonly used in the manufacture of control rods in nuclear reactors, and as an alloying additive in specialty steels.