Antimony (Sb)
by Michael Storb
History of Antimony
Kohl
Egypt
Egyptian Papyrus
Antimony's Properties
Antimony's Uses
Many times antimony is alloyed with other metals such as lead to make them harder. A part of some batteries is a lead-antimony alloy. It is used in electronic factories in things such as infrared detectors. Some other antimony-containing materials are type metals in presses, bullets and cable shearing. Many parts(compounds) of antimony are toxic. Different compounds or isotypes of antimony are used to create flame-retardant materials, paints, enamels, glass and pottery. Mixing lead and antimony creates a very hard material. The black form of antimony was used for mascara in Egypt in ancient times.
Batteries
Bullets
Infrared
Fun Facts
Sources
Element Card: Gray, Theodore W. (2008). The Photographic Card Deck of the Elements.
Elements Book: Gray, Theodore W. (2009). The Elements: A visual exploration of every known atom in the universe. New York: Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers, Inc.
Royal Society of Chemistry Periodic Table: http://www.rsc.org/periodic-table/element/51/antimony
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