Overview
Antimony (Sb) is a metalloid element with a rich history dating back to ancient civilizations, where it was used in cosmetics and medicines. Today, it plays a critical role in modern industries, particularly in flame retardants and lead-acid batteries. Its unique properties, such as brittleness and low thermal conductivity, make it valuable in specialized applications. Antimony is primarily extracted from stibnite ore (Sb₂S₃) and is often traded as ingots, powder, or granules. Despite its toxicity, its industrial demand remains steady due to its irreplaceable role in certain technologies.
Physical and Chemical Properties
Antimony is a silvery-white, brittle solid with a crystalline structure. It exhibits poor conductivity for heat and electricity, distinguishing it from true metals. It forms covalent bonds with elements like sulfur and oxygen, creating compounds such as antimony trioxide (Sb₂O₃), widely used as a flame retardant. Notably, antimony expands upon solidification, a rare property shared with water and bismuth. This characteristic makes it useful in type-metal alloys for printing, where it ensures sharp casting details. Its reactivity is moderate, but it reacts violently with strong oxidizers like chlorine.
Main Applications
The largest application of antimony is in flame retardants, where antimony trioxide synergizes with halogenated compounds to inhibit combustion. It accounts for over 50% of global consumption. Another major use is in lead-acid batteries, where antimony-lead alloys strengthen grids and improve performance. Other applications include semiconductors (e.g., infrared detectors), pigments, and glass manufacturing. In alloys, it hardens lead for ammunition and solder. Emerging uses in lithium-ion batteries and solar panels are being explored, though environmental concerns may limit growth.
Safety and Storage
Antimony and its compounds are toxic, particularly when inhaled as dust or ingested. Chronic exposure can damage the lungs, heart, and liver. Proper PPE—gloves, respirators, and ventilation—is essential during handling. Spills should be contained and cleaned with inert absorbents. Store antimony in sealed containers away from oxidizers and moisture. Labeling must comply with GHS standards (e.g., 'Harmful if swallowed'). Waste disposal requires adherence to local hazardous material regulations. Suppliers should provide Safety Data Sheets (SDS) with detailed handling instructions.
B2B Procurement Guide
When procuring antimony, prioritize suppliers with certifications like ISO 9001 or REACH compliance. Specify purity levels (e.g., 99.6% for battery alloys) and physical form (powder, ingots). Pricing fluctuates with market demand, so long-term contracts may stabilize costs. Audit suppliers for ethical mining practices, as antimony production has been linked to environmental and labor concerns in some regions. For bulk orders, negotiate incoterms (e.g., CIF) and verify logistics for safe transport. Sample testing is recommended to confirm quality before full payment.
Related Manufacturers
- 主营：奥林巴斯手持光谱仪、手持光谱仪、手持式光谱仪、合金分析仪、三丰轮廓仪、三丰圆度仪、三丰影像仪、三丰卡尺
- 主营：分析仪、采样器、检测仪、监测仪、照明灯、氟化物、高压气源、气体检测、在线监测、细菌培养、微控制器、监测设备、固定污染源、液液萃取仪、生物安全柜、大气污染物、明渠流量计、红外测油仪、测定重量法、气体报警器、气体探测器、大气采样仪、恒温恒湿系统、双重粉尘过滤、大流量采样泵
- 主营：手持式元素分析仪、手持光谱仪
- 主营：氧化锗、亚碲酸钠、镓铟锡合金、6N锑、铟锡合金、氧化碲、氧化铋、氧化镓、氧化铟、液态合金、低熔合金、亚碲酸钾
- 主营：合金粉末、氧化系列、氮化粉末、锑块、碳化粉末、合金颗粒
- 主营：合金粉、铁基合金、镍包铝粉、镍基合金、镍石墨粉、高温高压阀门、耐热耐磨合金、高纯碳化铬粉、超音速喷涂粉、镍基碳化钨合金
- 主营：金属钇、钛铁粉、铝合金、纽扣锭、锌铜粉、青铜粉、铌铁粉、铬铁粉、白铜粉、氧化铟、氧化铈、硒化铋、黄铜粉、钴靶材、合金粉、锰靶材、锌白粉、硅铁粉、磷铜粉、钛靶材、钛铁块、二氧化、高纯铁段、球形镍粉、镀膜铬粒
- 主营：标准溶液/试液、指示液、中药对照药材、中药对照品、2025药典、滴定溶液、化学分析标准品、杂质对照品、空白基质、硝酸银滴定溶液、氯化钙试液、缓冲液、稳定同位素化合物、稀甘油、高氯酸滴定溶液、稀醋酸、碘化钾碘试液、氯化钠溶液
- 主营：石墨管、空心阴极灯、氘灯、元素灯、原子荧光灯、紫外灯、雾化器、雾化室、样品杯、样品管、石墨锥、紫外氘灯、ICP光谱仪、ICP质谱仪、AAS原子吸收
- 主营：导热材料、屏蔽材料、导电银浆、高纯锑、柔性电极材料、导电银胶、金浆、导电橡胶、镀银导电布、金粉、铂电极浆料、FPC软板、镀金导电布、银钯浆料、电阻浆料、导热相变材料、柔性电极
- 主营：超高纯锑元素、石油分析品、实验室耗材、试剂
- 主营：石墨管、空心阴极灯、原子荧光灯、元素灯、氘灯、雾化器、样品杯、样品管、标准溶液、紫外氘灯、钨灯、炬管、石墨锥、原子吸收光谱仪、原子荧光光谱仪、ICP光谱仪、ICP质谱仪
- 主营：X射线荧光光谱仪、合金分析仪、直读光谱仪、金属材料杂质元素分析、矿石分析仪、镀层测厚仪、ROHS检测仪、石油焦分析仪、耐火材料分析仪、硅石分析仪、贵金属分析仪、钢铁分析仪、铁精粉分析仪
- 主营：合金靶材、感应熔炼、4822、镁锑合金棒、中间合金、钛铝、实验钢、熔炼钛铝、高温合金、钴铬钼、铝铌、高熵合金、TNM、悬浮熔炼、难熔合金、镍钛、钛合金、铝合金、镁合金、铜合金、镍合金、钴合金、铌合金、锆合金、高纯铝、镍基合金
- 主营：钨颗粒、钯靶材、铌靶材、硫化锑、锑颗粒、碲化锑、铝靶材、钽颗粒、硫化锌、铱颗粒、碲颗粒、银靶材、氧化铟、铜靶材、磷酸锂、硅靶材、钇颗粒、氧化钕、钛酸锶、锗颗粒、碳化硅、钛酸锂、钴靶材、氧化镁、石墨靶