Uses & Applications

Applications and End-Uses for Rubidium

Rubidium (Rb) is a medium-criticality specialty metal with a diverse range of industrial and technological applications. As global demand for advanced materials intensifies, understanding where and how Rubidium is consumed provides essential context for supply chain planning, investment analysis, and policy development.

Key Applications

The primary end-uses of Rubidium span multiple sectors, each contributing to its classification as a critical material. The following applications represent the most significant sources of global demand:

• Atomic frequency standards — Rubidium plays a vital role in atomic frequency standards, where its unique physical and chemical properties provide performance advantages that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.
• GPS and telecommunications timing — Rubidium plays a vital role in gps and telecommunications timing, where its unique physical and chemical properties provide performance advantages that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.
• Biomedical research — Rubidium plays a vital role in biomedical research, where its unique physical and chemical properties provide performance advantages that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.
• Specialty glass and ceramics — Rubidium plays a vital role in specialty glass and ceramics, where its unique physical and chemical properties provide performance advantages that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.

Sector Breakdown

The largest consuming sector for Rubidium is atomic frequency standards, which accounts for a substantial share of global demand. The second most significant application is gps and telecommunications timing, which has shown strong growth in recent years driven by technology adoption and regulatory requirements. Emerging applications across clean energy, defense, and advanced manufacturing are expected to expand the demand profile for Rubidium in the coming decade.

Demand Outlook

With a criticality level of medium and a supply risk rating of medium, the demand trajectory for Rubidium is closely monitored by governments and industry analysts. Its inclusion on the USGS critical minerals list underscores the strategic importance of securing stable supply for domestic industries. The European Union has similarly recognized its importance through inclusion on the EU Critical Raw Materials list. Growing demand from electrification, digitalization, and defense modernization programs is expected to place additional pressure on existing supply chains.