Antimony: Definition and Links by Encyclopedian.com

Antimony is a chemical element in the periodic table that has the symbol Sb and atomic number 51. A metalloid, antimony has four allotropic forms. The stable form of antimony is a blue-white metal. Yellow and black antimony are unstable non-metals. Used in flame-proofing, paints, ceramics, enamels, a wide variety of alloys, and rubber.

Table of contents

1 Notable Characteristics

2 Applications

3 History

4 Sources

5 Precautions

6 External Links

Notable Characteristics

Antimony in its elemental form is a silvery white, brittle, fusible, crystalline solid that exhibits poor electrical and heat conductivity properties and vaporizes at a low temperatures. A metalloid, antimony, resembles metal in its appearance and physical properties, but does not chemically react as a metal. It is also attacked by oxidizing acids and halogens.

Estimates of the abundance of antimony in the Earth's crust range from 0.2 to 0.5 ppm. Antimony is chalcophile[?], occurring with sulfur and the heavy metals lead, copper, and silver.

Applications

Antimony is increasingly being used in the semiconductor industry in the production of diodes, infrared detectors, and Hall-effect devices. As an alloy, this semi-metal greatly increases lead's hardness and mechanical strength. The most important use of antimony metal is as a hardener in lead for storage batteries. Other uses;

Batteries,
antifriction alloys,
type metal,
small arms and tracer bullets,
cable sheathing

Antimony compounds in the form of; oxides, sulfides[?], sodium antimonate, and antimony trichloride are used in the making of flame-proofing compounds, ceramic enamels, glass, paints, and pottery. Antimony trioxide 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.

History

Antimony (Greek anti plus monos meaning "a metal not found alone") was recognized in antiquity in various compounds and was later known as a metal at the beginning of the 17th century and possibly earlier. This element was first scientifically reported by Tholden[?] in 1450. The natural sulfide of antimony, stibnite[?], was known and used in Biblical times as medicine and as a cosmetic. Thre relationship between antimony's modern name and its symbol is complex; the Coptic name for the cosmetic powder antimony sulfide was borrowed by the Greeks, which was in turn borrowed by Latin, resulting in stibium. The chemical pioneer Jacob Berzelius used an abbreviation of this name for antimony in his writings, and his usage remained.

Sources

Even though this element is not abundant, it is found in over 100 mineral species. Antimony is sometimes found native, but more frequently it is found in the sulfide stibnite[?] (Sb₂S₃) which is the predominant ore mineral. Commercial forms of antimony are generally ingots, broken pieces, granules, and cast cake. Other forms are powder, shot, and single crystals.

Precautions

Antimony and many of its compounds are toxic.