Period 6 element the last stable element; all subsequent elements are radioactive. For bismuth, however, its only primordial isotope, Bi, has a half-life of more than 10 years, over a billion times longer than the current age of the universe. As a rule, period 6 elements fill their 6s shells first, then their 4f, 5d, and 6p shells, in that order; however, there are exceptions, such as gold. This period contains the lanthanides, also known as the "rare earths". Many lanthanides are known for their magnetic properties, such as neodymium. Many period 6 transition metals are very valuable, such as gold, however many
Metals Service Center Institute Metals Service Center Institute The Metals Service Center Institute (MSCI) is a trade association and nonprofit organization based in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, in the United States. It was established as the American Horseshoe and Heavy Hardware Association in 1909 and was subsequently known as the American Steel Warehouse Association, then the Steel Service Center Institute. The organization's members are primarily metal service centers that inventory and distribute metals for industrial customers and perform first-stage processing. MSCI has approximately 400 members operating from 1,500 locations primarily in North America. MSCI members purchase about 75 million tons of steel, aluminum and other