Yes, antimony has a high density. The density of antimony is about 6.68 g/cm3 meaning it is subsequently higher than that of iron (4.56 g/cm3) but relatively lower than silver’s density (7.85 g/cm3).
Antimony is a popular metal used since ancient times, although it was only isolated in 1736. Alchemists popularly used this metal as a hardening and fusible agent. However, its primary use in modern applications is as a catalyst to generate sulphuric acid, a precursor to multiple other chemicals.
What is Antimony?
Antimony is a naturally-occurring element found deep in the earth’s crust, although it can also be found as a copper refining and smelting by-product. This element is available in several different forms, including stibnite (metallic state), antimony sulfide (sulfide form) and antimony oxide (its oxide form).
Antimony (Sb) is a chemical element derived from the ancient Egyptian term ‘copper ‘because the native symbol Sb was previously confused with copper element before modern identification methods were established.
However, this name was later adapted into Arabic about antimony trioxide (Sb2O3) color that is pink-red rather than the customary yellow-white coloring familiar with most sulfides.
Antimony is, by definition, a chemical element represented by the Sb and its atomic number is 51. This element is characteristically a soft, silvery-white metallic element and is present in pure form–sulfide Sb2S3. It is also present in minerals such as stibnite.
Features of Antimony
- Low density: Antimony has an average density of 6.68 g/cm3, which makes it among the least dense metals.
- High electrical conductivity: alimony has increased electrical conductivity capabilities courtesy of its relatively high deformation temperatures.
- Ductile & soft: This metal is malleable and soft, boasting a distinctly low melting point and forms three unique allotropes δ-Sb, α-Sb, and the β-Sb.
- Curing temeprature373 °C: its curie temperature is 373 °C, although this value drops to around 227 °C, particularly for single crystals that have developed from black crystalline antimony sulfide form.
How does it work as an alloying agent?
Antimony decays slowly by emitting beta particles, which can be slowed down by exposure to frictional heating or compressed into a solid-state compound containing antimony sulfide.
Antimony is usually alloyed with several other metals to alter their mechanical and characteristic properties. This metal is generally alloyed to lead and other appropriate metals to enhance its durability and strength. This element makes it harder for soft and brittle metal alloys to allow their application for different processes.
Once cast, antimony alloys usually expand on solidifying. Hence when used in casting components with intricate or sharp edges and jewellery, this antimony expands to fill every crevice.
Other Uses of Antimony
- Creating corrosion-resistant alloys: Antimony is used mainly in the electronics industry, where it is added to alloys like tin bronze or tin bronze to improve their corrosion resistance. Furthermore, its high density allows it to be used as an alloying agent to strengthen other alloys.
- Glass color alteration: Antimony is popularly used in the glass industry due to its unique ability to alter the glass colour when added. The more antimony you add, the darker the resulting glass becomes.
- Medical applications: It is also used in medical applications, such as dental fillings and heart valves, because it stops the growth of bacteria and fungi on its surface, which can cause infections if they enter your bloodstream or body cavities.
- Pipe Soldering: Antimony is among the few metals that can be dissolved into the molten lead at 1000°C without reacting with it; this property led to its use as a solder for plumbing pipes in Roman times.
- Creation of semiconductors in the electronics industry: Antimony is usually alloyed with tin or lead, among other metals, to boost their strength and make individual diodes and semiconductors like infrared detectors.
- Flame-resistant products: various antimony compounds are used in creating flame-retardant materials and components like enamels, glass, pottery, and paints.
Finally, in addition to its application in medicine, jewellery, and alloy creation, it has been known since antiquity for its role in cosmetics and religious symbolism.
Conclusion
Antimony has multiple applications in modern products and processes. Here at Oushi Metals, we offer antimony and metals professionally alloyed with antimony. Ideally, we have everything you need if you want antimony-alloyed metals and associated accessories due to its characteristic expansion properties.
