Antimony (Sb) is a silver-white brittle metal with various uses and applications. Here are its primary uses and application areas:
Flame Retardants: Antimony is a key component in flame retardants, widely used in plastics, rubber, paints, and other materials to enhance their fire resistance. In Western countries or regions, halogenated antimony is mandated to be added to construction materials, electronic products, and plastic products as a flame retardant. Currently, there is no better alternative to antimony as a flame retardant.
Alloys: Antimony is commonly used in the production of various alloys, such as lead-tin-antimony alloys, bearing alloys, printing alloys (type metal), solder, cable sheathing, and bullets. It significantly increases the hardness and strength of alloys, earning it the nickname "industrial MSG." For example, when mixed with lead and tin, antimony can improve the performance of bullets, soldering materials, and bearings.
Semiconductor Components: High-purity antimony is used in the manufacture of group III-V compound semiconductors, such as dopants in silicon and germanium single crystals, as well as in thermoelectric elements and infrared detector materials.
Pharmaceuticals and Chemicals: Antimony compounds have wide applications in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries, such as in catalysts, microcrystalline glass, pigments, glass clarifiers, and decolorizing agents.
Military Equipment: Antimony also plays a crucial role in military equipment, including armor-piercing bullets, explosives, nuclear weapons, and night vision devices. Due to its unique physical properties, antimony has an irreplaceable role in the military.
Other Applications: Antimony is also used in the manufacture of battery plates, sliding bearings, photovoltaic materials, energy storage batteries, ceramics, glass, and other high-tech products. Additionally, the thermal expansion and contraction properties of antimony give it unique advantages in certain specialized applications.
In summary, antimony, as a strategic metal, plays a vital role in multiple fields, from everyday consumer products to high-tech equipment and the defense industry. Its extensive use and irreplaceability make antimony an essential resource of global importance.