 Currently , ytterbium is being investigated as a possible replacement for magnesium in high density pyrotechnic payloads for kinematic infrared decoy flares . As ytterbium ( III ) oxide has a significantly higher emissivity in the infrared range than magnesium oxide , a higher radiant intensity is obtained with ytterbium @-@ based payloads in comparison to those commonly based on magnesium / Teflon / Viton ( MTV ) . 
