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Send EmailAntimony Ingot, Antimony Block, Antimony Slab, Pure Antimony, 7440-36-0
Product Name: Antimony Ingot
Other Names: Antimony Block, Antimony Slab, Pure Antimony
CAS Number: 7440-36-0
Chemical Symbol: Sb
Atomic Number: 51
1. PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Antimony ingot is a solid metal product manufactured by melting and casting high-purity antimony metal. It is silvery-white in color and is particularly known for its high corrosion resistance and flame-retardant properties.
2. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Appearance / Color | Silvery-white, metallic solid |
| Melting Point | 630.63 °C |
| Boiling Point | 1587 °C |
| Density | 6.697 g/cm³ |
| Magnetic Properties | Non-magnetic |
| Electrical Conductivity | Low |
3. CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Oxidation States | +3, +5 |
| Corrosion Resistance | High |
| Reactivity | Reacts with acids and bases |
| Flame Retardancy | Effective in flame-retardant formulations |
4. APPLICATIONS
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Battery Technology: Alloying element in lead-acid batteries; additive in lithium-ion batteries.
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Semiconductor Industry: Used in the production of diodes, chips, and infrared detectors.
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Flame Retardant Industry: Used as a flame-retardant synergist in plastics, textiles, and electronic components.
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Paint Industry: Used as an opacifying pigment and to produce heat-resistant paints.
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Ceramics Industry: Used as a binder and opacifier in glaze layers.
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Glass Industry: Used in the production of anti-solar (solar control) glass.
5. PACKAGING AND STORAGE
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Packaging is arranged according to customer requirements (typically palletized, strapped ingots).
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Store in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area, away from acids and bases.
6. SAFETY INFORMATION
Not classified as a hazardous substance; however, inhalation of dust and prolonged skin contact should be avoided. Standard industrial hygiene practices should be followed during handling. Refer to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for detailed information.
Sectoral Applications & Usage Rates
The consumption of antimony is diverse, with specific usage rates varying significantly by application. The largest single use remains in lead-acid batteries, while high-purity material is critical for semiconductors.
| Application Sector | Typical Usage Form | Usage Rate / Composition |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Technology | Antimony-Lead Alloy | 1-6% antimony content. Low-antimony alloys (1-2.7%) for modern maintenance-free car batteries; higher content for industrial batteries. A 5% antimonial lead alloy is a common formulation for enhanced hardness and creep resistance. |
| Flame Retardants | Antimony Trioxide (ATO) | For the synergist system, the halogen-to-antimony ratio typically ranges from 5:1 to 2:1. In final applications, a synergistic blend like Fyrebloc 7DB-301 is used at a 15% to 30% addition level in polymers, while colloidal antimony pentoxide dispersions are used at 3% to 8% by weight in resins. |
| Semiconductors | High-Purity Antimony | Requires 99.999% (5N) or greater purity for applications like infrared detectors and Hall effect devices. |
| Alloys & Metallurgy | Antimony Metal | Used in bearing alloys, solder, and ammunition to increase hardness. |
Example Formulations
These examples illustrate how antimony compounds are used in practical recipes.
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Flame Retardant Synergist for Thermoplastics: A ready-to-use blend is FYREBLOC 7DB-301, which is a 100% active combination of a brominated flame retardant (DE-83R) and antimony trioxide in a 3:1 ratio. This single-package system is designed for ease of use in applications like polyethylene, polypropylene, and nylon.
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Compound Flame Retardant for Fiberboard: Patented formulation based on total weight:
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50-60 parts Antimony Trioxide
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20-30 parts Calcium Silicate
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4-10 parts Zinc Borate
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3-10 parts Hydrotalcite
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A modifier (e.g., titanate) is used for surface treatment of the ATO. This combination reduces the amount of antimony needed while improving fire resistance and processing.
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Other Names, Alternatives & Comparisons
The high price of antimony has accelerated the search for viable alternatives across all application sectors.
Other Names for Antimony Products
| Common Name | Chemical Name / Formula | CAS Number |
|---|---|---|
| Antimony Ingot | Antimony Metal (Sb) | 7440-36-0 |
| Antimony Trioxide (ATO) | Diantimony Trioxide (Sb₂O₃) | 1309-64-4 |
| Antimony Pentoxide | Diantimony Pentoxide (Sb₂O₅) | 1314-60-9 |
Alternatives and Comparison for Flame Retardants
| Alternative Material | Key Properties & Comparison to ATO | Effective In |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium Hypophosphite (CaP) | Reduces smoke, improves flame retardancy, and eliminates toxicity concerns. Synergism with talc can reduce peak heat release rate by ~60% compared to ABS+Br+ATO. | Styrenic polymers (ABS, HIPS) |
| Zinc Stannates | Non-hazardous, effective synergist that can replace ATO; delivers self-extinguishment and UL 94 V-0 rating in PVC. | PVC, other halogenated systems |
| Phosphinate-based FRs | Halogen-free, effective fire protection through different chemical mechanism, maintaining performance. Exolit OP is a brand example. | Engineering plastics, adhesives |
| Tolsa's ADINS® | ATO-free and halogen-free synergist that enhances char formation, reduces smoke and heat release, and provides an anti-dripping effect. | PP, PA, rubber, fire-protective coatings |
Alternatives in Batteries (Next-Generation)
Beyond its traditional role as a lead hardener, antimony's future in energy storage is in advanced anode materials. Research focuses on antimony-based intermetallic compounds and metal antimonides (e.g., NiSb) for lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries, where they function via conversion and alloying mechanisms to provide high capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What are the standard purity grades for antimony ingots?
A: Common commercial grades are 99.65%, 99.85%, 99.90%, and high-purity 99.99% (metals basis). The grade dictates the maximum allowable impurities like lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and iron (Fe). Products are governed by standards like ASTM B237.
Q2: Is antimony considered a critical or conflict mineral?
A: Yes. Antimony is classified as a critical mineral by many nations due to its economic importance and supply risk. It is also listed as a conflict mineral under regulations like the Dodd-Frank Act, making responsible sourcing and supply chain transparency from the mine to the ingot a critical priority.
Q3: Why is purity so important for antimony ingots?
A: Purity is crucial as trace impurities can severely degrade the performance of the final product, leading to failures in sensitive applications like semiconductor devices or reduced efficiency in batteries.
Q4: Why are antimony prices so high, and is there a push to replace it?
A: Yes, prices have skyrocketed by over 800% in recent years due to supply constraints. Combined with regulatory pressure from agencies like ECHA, which lists antimony trioxide as a Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC), there is a massive industry push to find safer, more sustainable, and cost-effective alternatives.
Q5: How do I properly store antimony ingots?
A: Proper storage is essential. Ingots should be kept in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area away from incompatible materials like strong acids and bases. This prevents unwanted chemical reactions and maintains product quality for 6 to 12 months from receipt
