Skip to main content

Scandium Specifications


Scandium(Sc) is the one of the rare earth metals that has an atomic number 21. Scandium is soft, light and silvery-white d-block metallic element that slightly changes its color to yellow or pink when exposed to an air. The name “Scandium” comes from Latin word “Scanda” meaning Scandinavia. It was discovered by spectral analysis of minerals called euxenite and gadolinite, which are the rare minerals found in Scandinavia, in 1879 by Swedish chemist Lars F. Nilson. However, Scandium metal itself was produced only in 1937 by electrolysis molten scandium chloride. Scandium is susceptible to weathering and slowly dissolves in dilute acids. It does not react with nitric and hydrofluoric acids due to the formation of an impermeable passive layer. Although absences of reliable, secure, stable and long term production has limited commercial applications of scandium, it offers other benefits. As an example of these advantages is that only a few amount out of scandium strengthens aluminum alloys (alloy contain only 0.5%) and other advantage is scandium-stabilized zirconia takes a pleasure in a growing demand for use a high efficiency electrolyte in solid oxide fuel cells. Due to its lower density, almost same as Aluminum’s, and high melting temperature the scandium and aluminum alloys play huge role in minor aerospace industry components.
Applications of Scandium:
Aluminum-Scandium alloy containing 0.1-0.5% of scandium were used in Russian military aircrafts, specifically in MiG-21 and MiG-29.
Aluminum-Scandium alloy is used in sport equipment like baseball bat, bicycle frames and lacrosse sticks.
Scandium alloy frame is used to make semi-automatic pistols and revolvers by American firearm company Smith&Wesson.
Erbium-chromium-doped yttrium-scandium-gallium garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) lasers are used by dentist for cavity preparation.
Scandium-based metal iodide is added to mercury vapor lamps to produce a highly efficient light. These kind lamps help television cameras to reproduce color well when filming at night-time.
Radioactive scandium-46 is used as a tracer in oil refinery to monitor the movement of various fractions. It could be also used to detect leaks in underground pipes.
Very dilute scandium sulfate is used to improve the germination of seeds like corn, peas and wheats.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Carbon Nanotube Threads

Since its discovery, carbon nanotube (CNT) has attracted many interests in different technology fields due to its extraordinary properties. Properties such as, high strength, great electrical and thermal conductivity, light weight and flexibility made CNT one of the best materials for wide range of applications. However, from its name it can be understood that CNT is a nanoscale material which is very small to be applied for the production of daily products. Researchers all around the world are working on finding methods and techniques which could produce new materials with the extraordinary properties of CNT. Image retrieved from:  https://worldindustrialreporter.com/strong-light-flexible-carbon-nanotubes-threads-with-ultrahigh-conductivity/ One of these research is focusing on the production of high strength threads that can be used in the manufacturing of fabrics, cables and ropes. An international group of scientists were able to produce a flexible conductive thread that i

Multi Walled Carbon Nanotube Dispersions

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs)  have attracted enormous attention in recent years due to its unique physical, electronic, optical and potential applications in materials science and nanotechnology. The van der Waals interaction between tubes, however, makes CNTs aggregate in most organic solvents and aqueous solutions, which is the major limitation of their practical applications.Various approaches have been studied to alter the CNT surface to promote the dispersion of individual nanotubes and prevent their reaggregation. On the basis of this widely accepted viewpoint, numerous techniques such as covalent bonding, surfactant coating and polymer wrapping have been developed for surface modification or sidewall functionalization.These methods, however, are complicated, time-consuming and cause permanent damage to the CNT structure and properties of the surface, which produces residues of the dispersion agent for the final product. Figure: Single Walled Carbon Nanotube (SWCNT) It has re

Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticles/Nanopowder and Applications

General Information about Magnesium Oxide Magnesium oxide which has the chemical formula of MgO, is a white hygroscopic solid mineral that occurs naturally as periclase and is a source of Magnesium. It is a white powder at room temperature. Magnesium Oxide has very high melting point (2825  o C) and boiling point (3600  o C).                                                                                                                                                                                Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticles/Nanopowder and Usage Areas                                        Magnesium Oxide nanoparticles/nanopowder  can be used in many different areas. For example Magnesium Oxide nanoparticles/nanopowder are used as a fire retardant for chemical fiber and plastics trades. For making crucible, smelter, insulated conduit, electrode bar, and electrode sheet  Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticles/Nanopowder  can be used as electric insulating material. Magnesium Oxide nan