The start of the lanthanide metals industry was the production of lighter flints, based on a mischmetal- iron (≈65 %: ≈35 %) alloy, Auer metal. Due to the high content of pyrophoric cerium this alloy, when struck to create small fragments, produces glowing particles, sparks, and is used to ignite flammable gases.

The major use of mischmetal is as an additive for steel treatment, the prime purpose of mischmetal addition during steel alloy production is to tie up sulfur impurities, through the high affinity of Ln's for O and S, as stable lanthanide oxysulfides. Mischmetal is mainly used as the alloying additives of Ferro Silicon Magnesium (FeSiMg) in ductile iron foundries to suppress deleterious elements in ductile iron. while Ferro Silicon Magnesium is used primarily in the production of ductile iron (Nodular Cast Iron) which widely applied as the ductile iron pipe, ductile iron valves, ductile iron fittings, etc. in water equipment industry. Also Mischmetal based alloys are promising electrode materials in nickel-metal-hydride rechargeable batteries that offer high capacity and long-life. Its combination with Al used as a major additives for Galfan in Coating industry.