WHAT IS ANTIMONY?

Antimony is a pure element. Some forms of it are metallic, while others are non-metallic. Antimony has an atomic number of 51 and is represented by the symbol Sb. Antimony is part of the class of elements known as metalloids, which have properties roughly between those of the metals and the non-metals of the periodic table. Antimony is also what is known as a semimetal, which refers to the way in which it conducts energy – bismuth and arsenic are both semimetals as well. Other metalloids include silicon, germanium, and boron.

Antimony in its stable form is a blue-white metallic element, with an atomic mass of 121.76g/mol. It melts at 1167°F (630°C) and makes a rather effective semiconductor. Although it looks metallic, antimony does not have the same chemical responses as a true metal.

Antimony, like many of the metalloids, is relatively toxic. Because of its use in many disposable products, antimony into water sources is a concern in many areas. The Environmental Protection Agency considers it a regulated element under the Safe Drinking Water Act, and the maximum contaminant level is designated as six parts-per-billion.

Where do we use Antimony?

Antimony is used in many different contexts in industry, including some medicines, lead-free solders, bullets, batteries, plumbing, and matches. It has been used in a naturally occurring form for thousands of years, primarily as a medicine. Antimony in a compound form also has impressive flame-retarding properties. Antimony is used for a wide array of industrial applications, including many paints, and rubber. Antimony is also often added to lead to make the lead stronger

Antimony is used to make alloys with a number of different metals. An alloy is made by melting and mixing two or more metals. The properties of the mixture are different than those of the individual metals. One of the most common of these alloys is one made with lead. Lead-antimony alloys are used for solder, ammunition, fishing tackle, covering for electrical cables, alloys that melt at low temperatures, and batteries. The manufacture of lead storage batteries, like the ones used in cars and trucks, account for about one-fifth of all the antimony used each year. A small amount of antimony is also used in making transistors, which are found in such consumer electrical devices as computer games, pocket calculators, and portable stereos. It is used in semiconductor technology for making infrared detectors and diodes. Also used in alloys with percentages ranging from 1 to 20 - greatly increases the hardness and mechanical strength of lead, also it is used in batteries, antifriction alloys, type metal, small arms and tracer bullets, cable sheathing and so on.