Description
Antimony, often found in its mineral form known as stibnite (Sb2S3), is a valuable metalloid primarily used to produce antimony metal and antimony compounds. Recognized for its silver-gray appearance, high melting point, and brittleness, antimony is essential in various industries, including electronics, flame retardants, batteries, and alloys.
With its ability to enhance the properties of other metals, antimony serves as a critical component in applications requiring strength, durability, and safety. From lead-acid batteries to flame-retardant materials, the versatility and effectiveness of antimony make it an important material in modern manufacturing and safety solutions.
Specifications
- Purity Levels: Available in various grades to meet specific industry needs, such as:
- High-Purity Antimony: For specialized applications like electronics and flame retardants.
- Standard-Grade Antimony: Suitable for alloys and general industrial use.
- Processing Details: Antimony ore is processed through:
- Smelting and Roasting: To extract antimony metal, the ore undergoes smelting and roasting, separating antimony sulfide from impurities.
- Refinement into Compounds: Antimony ore is refined to produce compounds like antimony trioxide (Sb2O3), which is widely used in flame retardants.
- Sourcing Locations: Our antimony is sourced from sustainable and regulated mining operations in Libya, and Afghanistan, ensuring consistent quality and supply for various applications.
Applications
Antimony’s unique properties make it a crucial material across several industries:
- Battery Manufacturing:
- Antimony is a key component in lead-acid batteries, specifically in the grid alloy of battery plates. Its inclusion enhances the battery’s performance by increasing cycling life and reducing self-discharge rates, making it essential for automotive and industrial batteries.
- Flame Retardants:
- Antimony trioxide (Sb2O3) is extensively used as a flame-retardant synergist, especially in combination with halogenated flame retardants. It is crucial in producing plastics, textiles, rubber, and electronics that need fire resistance for safety.
- Alloy Strengthening:
- Antimony is commonly alloyed with lead, tin, and other metals to increase their hardness, strength, and corrosion resistance. These antimony alloys are vital in producing ammunition, bearings, solder, and cable sheathing, where enhanced durability and reliability are crucial.
- Pigments:
- Antimony compounds are used to create pigments like Naples yellow (antimony lead yellow), widely utilized in paints, ceramics, and plastics for their vivid and stable color properties.
- Antimony Trioxide Production:
- Antimony ore is also processed into antimony trioxide (Sb2O3), a fine white powder used as a synergist in flame-retardant materials. This compound is integral in the manufacture of plastics, textiles, rubber, and electronics, enhancing their safety and fire resistance.