The two heavy rare earths added to NdFeB magnets to keep them magnetic at electric vehicle motor temperatures.
Dysprosium: Dysprosium is critical for high-performance EV motors and wind turbines operating in high-temperature environments, with China controlling over 90% of production.
Terbium: Terbium is irreplaceable for high-performance EV and wind turbine magnets. It is produced almost exclusively in China, creating a critical supply chain chokepoint.
Dysprosium: Dysprosium is a rare earth element used to enhance the coercivity of neodymium magnets at high temperatures. Without dysprosium additions, NdFeB magnets demagnetize in the heat of electric vehicle motors. Terbium: Terbium is a heavy rare earth element that dramatically improves the performance of neodymium magnets at high temperatures. It is one of the most expensive and strategically important rare earth elements.
As tracked by Critical Minerals HQ, Dysprosium is currently $267 USD/kg and Terbium is $1,200 USD/kg. The two minerals are quoted in different units (USD/kg vs USD/kg), so see the live price panels above for the most recent figures.
Neither is "better" in absolute terms — each is engineered for different end-uses. Dysprosium is primarily used for: High-temperature NdFeB magnet enhancement, Nuclear reactor control rods, Data storage and hard disk drives, Defense and aerospace sensors. Terbium is primarily used for: NdFeB magnet performance enhancement, Green phosphors in fluorescent lamps and displays, Solid oxide fuel cells, Magneto-optical data storage. The right mineral depends on the application.
Dysprosium and Terbium are quoted in different units (USD/kg vs USD/kg), so a direct numeric rarity comparison from spot price alone is indicative only. See the indexed 25-year chart on the live page for relative scarcity behavior.
Specific US import-reliance percentages are not in our on-file reference text for either Dysprosium or Terbium. See the official USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries for the latest figures.
Dysprosium top producers (USGS): China, Australia, United States, India. Terbium top producers: China, Australia, United States, Myanmar. The mineral whose first-listed producer accounts for a larger share of global output carries the greater supply-chain concentration risk.
Dysprosium: Dysprosium is critical for high-performance EV motors and wind turbines operating in high-temperature environments, with China controlling over 90% of production. Terbium: Terbium is irreplaceable for high-performance EV and wind turbine magnets. It is produced almost exclusively in China, creating a critical supply chain chokepoint.