Antimony and Antimony Compounds

Abstract

The article contains sections titled: 1. Introduction 2. Physical Properties 3. Chemical Properties 4. Occurrence 5. Beneficiation 6. Recovery of the Metal 6.1. Roasting 6.2. Reduction of Oxide to the Metal 6.3. Direct Reduction to the Metal 6.4. Hydrometallurgical and Electrolytic Methods 6.5. Recovery from Byproducts 7. Refining 8. Fine Purification 9. Recovery of Antimony Oxide 10. Antimony Alloys and Intermetallic Compounds 11. Antimony Compounds 11.1. Antimony Chlorides 11.2. Antimony Fluorides 11.3. Antimony Tribromide 11.4. Antimony Triiodide 11.5. Antimony Oxides 11.6. Antimonic Acid and Antimonates 11.7. Antimony Sulfides 11.8. Antimony Sulfate 11.9. Stibine 11.10. Organometallic Compounds 12. Chemical Analysis 13. Uses 14. Recycling 15. Economic Aspects 16. Toxicology The article describes the properties, production, and usage of the element antimony and its primary compounds. Stibnite, which is referred to as crude antimony when its Sb2S3 content is above 90 %, has a low melting point and it can be extracted by melting (liquidation). Antimony metal is recovered from ore primarily by pyrometallurgical techniques. Because rich ores are becoming rare, greater recourse is being taken to intermediates in processing and metal industries. Hydrometallurgical processing is suitable for some ores containing precious metals and is used by the Sunshine Mining Co. (USA). Refining and fine purification techniques are used for production of pure antimony metal. There is growing demand for extremely pure antimony. Antimony oxide is being used as flame retardant in increasing quantities. Antimony is a component of many lead and tin alloys, which are important materials for making bearings and solders. Preparation, properties, and usage of the antimony halides, oxides, sulfides, and other compounds, as well as organometallic compounds are described. Other important aspects are recycling, economics, and toxicology.