Antimony
Antimony is a chemical element with the symbol Sb and atomic number 51. It is a silvery, brittle metalloid that mainly occurs in nature as sulfide minerals. Antimony has a long history of use dating back to ancient times.
Physical and chemical properties
Antimony exhibits several notable physical and chemical properties:
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Colour and appearance: Silvery metallic lustre.
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Density: Relatively high density of 6.697 g/cm³.
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Melting point: Melts at about 630.63 °C.
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Reactivity: Reacts with acids and halogens but forms a protective layer that prevents further reactions.
Uses of antimony
Antimony is used across various industries due to its versatile properties:
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Alloys: Commonly used to harden and improve mechanical properties of alloys, e.g., lead-antimony alloys for batteries.
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Flame retardants: Antimony trioxide is used as a flame retardant in plastics, textiles, and electronics.
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Electronics: Used in semiconductors and thermoelectric devices.
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Medicine: Historically used in medicine; now mainly found in traditional and alternative medicine.
Health and environmental aspects
Handling antimony requires caution as improper exposure can be harmful. Long-term exposure to antimony dust or vapours may cause respiratory diseases. Environmental protection measures are also important to avoid soil and water contamination.
Summary
Antimony is a versatile metalloid with numerous industrial applications, especially in alloys and as a flame retardant. Despite its useful properties, responsible handling is essential due to potential health and environmental risks.
Further information
More information on antimony can be found in chemical reference books and specialised websites such as the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) or the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).