Antimony [Sb] (CAS-ID: 7440-36-0)
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An: 51 N: 71 Am: 121.760 (1)
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Group No: 15
Group Name: Pnictogen
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Block: p-block
Period: 5
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State: solid at 298 K
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Colour: silvery lustrous grey Classification: Semi-metallic
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Boiling Point: 1860K (1587'C)
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Melting Point: 903.78K (630.63'C)
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Density: 6.697g/cm3 |
Availability: Commercial forms of antimony are generally ingots, broken pieces, granules, and cast cake. Other forms are powder, shot, and
single crystals.
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Discovery Information
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Who: Known to the ancients. |
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Name Origin
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Greek: anti (opposed) monos (solitude). |
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Sources
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Found in stibnite (Sb2S3) and in valentinite (Sb2O3). The majority of Antimony comes from China. Even though this element is not abundant, it is found in over 100 mineral species.
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Uses
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Antimony is increasingly being used in the semiconductor industry in the production of diodes and infrared detectors. |
Used to the strength and hardness of lead alloys. The most important use of antimony is as a hardener in lead for storage batteries.
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It is also used in small arm and tracer bullets, cable sheathing, matches, medicines, and bearings in internal cumbustion
engines.
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Antimony compounds in the form of oxides, sulfides, sodium antimonate (NaO3Sb), and antimony trichloride (SbCl3) are used in the making of flame-proofing compounds, ceramic enamels, glass, paints, and pottery. Antimony trioxide (Sb2O3) is the most important of the antimony compounds and is primarily used in flame-retardant formulations. These flame-retardant applications include such markets as children's
clothing, toys, aircraft and automobile seat covers.
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Notes
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Antimony and many of its compounds are toxic. Clinically, antimony poisoning is very similar to arsenic poisoning. In small doses, antimony causes headache, dizziness, and depression. Larger doses cause violent and frequent vomiting,
and will lead to death in few days.
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Estimates of the abundance of antimony in the Earth's crust range from 0.2 to 0.5 ppm. |