Yttrium Shortage Exposes US Dependence on Chinese Rare Earth Supplies

America's aerospace industry is scrambling to replace yttrium, a rare earth metal used in heat-resistant coatings for jet engines. China supplies about 70% of U.S. yttrium imports and has imposed export controls that have reduced shipments to the United States.

The shortage of yttrium has led suppliers to consider alternative technologies dating back to the 1970s and 1980s, including zirconium-dioxide coatings stabilized with magnesium or calcium. Some companies are also attempting to recycle coating material.

GE Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Honeywell did not comment on the shortage, but aerospace supply-chain specialist Kevin Michaels said low inventories had not yet reduced engine production.

Oerlikon Surface Solutions, a major supplier of aerospace and turbine coatings, uses yttrium in thermal-barrier coatings. The company has sought alternative supplies, including recycling material from its manufacturing process and working with U.S. suppliers and the federal government to secure additional supplies.