Tellurium[Te]

Tellurium is a rare and brittle silvery-white semi-metal with a density of 6.25 g/cc and melting point of 450 ^degC.  It is mainly obtained from the sludges produced during the refining of lead and copper.  It has useful metallurgical and semi-conductor applications.

Additions of tellurium to copper and stainless steel, improves their machineability, whilst it strengthens and improves the corrosion resistance of lead.  It also increases the depth of chill in cast irons.

Important uses of tellurium compounds in the semiconductor fields include solar cells, X-ray and infra-red detectors, thermoelectric devices and re-writeable CD and DVD discs.

Tellurium ingots (sticks) are supplied having a minimum purity of 99.5% and traded in USD/kg.