Antimony [Sb]
A slightly hard, brittle semi-metal having poor conductivity of electricity and heat. Bluish-white in colour, it is slow in tarnishing to grey in air. It has a density of 6.68 g/cc and a melting point of 630 degC, expanding on solidification. Known to be toxic, as are its compounds.
Antimony hardens and strengthens lead, is used in bearing alloys, solders, semi-conductors, ballistics and pewter. Compounds are used in flame proofing, pigments, rubbers, paints and medications.
Traded mainly as antimony regulus, an ingot of ~99.65% purity.
STIBNITE [Sb2S3]
The main ore of antimony is the sulphide which concentrated to ~60% Sb for the market.
Other forms of antimony ore are valentinite (Sb2O3) and cervantite (Sb2O4).
ANTIMONY TRIOXIDE [Sb2O3]
- A white powder of ~99.7% purity.
- A lumpy form of oxide ores is also available.
- The oxides and regulus are traded in container loads and quoted in USD/mt.
