High Purity Antimony
Antimony is a metallic element that is commonly used in alloys with lead, zinc and other metals. High purity antimony is often used in the electronics industry for components such as semiconductors, transistors, and rectifiers. The chemical symbol for antimony is Sb and the atomic number is 51. It has a bright silvery-white luster and has a range of industrial uses.
High purity antimony is a form of the element with a purity above 99.99 percent. This level of purity is reached by applying a number of purification techniques and allows manufacturers of integrated circuit components to meet their specifications. Typical applications for high purity antimony include transistors, diodes, optoelectronics, thin-film storage devices and other components.
The majority of antimony is produced from mining operations, which extract the metal from sulfide-based ores. High purity antimony is then refined in smelters and refineries, to provide the necessary levels of purity. In some cases, manufacturers of integrated circuit components may be required to obtain specialised high purity grades, which may command much higher prices.
The production of high purity antimony is highly sensitive to the purity of the ore used. Pollutants such as arsenic and tin must be removed in the smelting process, in order to achieve a purity level that meets the requirements of most specifications. Antimony is also highly soluble in certain acids, and its concentration must be monitored carefully to prevent potentially damaging reactions.
High purity antimony is produced in three main grades, each of which achieves different levels of purity. Grade A has a purity of 99.9 percent or greater, and is suitable for applications such as thin-film storage devices. Grade B has a purity of 99.99 percent or greater, and is suitable for use in semiconductors and transistors. Grade C is often produced for specialised applications, and possesses a purity of 99.999 percent or greater.
Specialised purification techniques are employed in order to meet the specifications of each grade. These may include chemical leaching, solvent extraction and ion-exchange technologies. In cases where purity levels above 99.999 percent are required, advanced physical purification technologies such as crystallization and distillation may be utilised.
High purity antimony can be produced in various forms, including powder, granules, shot, pellets and lumps. The form that is used in an application depends on the desired characteristics, as well as the availability of raw materials and production processes. For example, powder and granules are preferred in electronics applications, whereas lumps and pellets may be chosen for certain corrosion-resistant applications.
In conclusion, high purity antimony is an essential component in many industries, particularly those that require the use of integrated circuits and semiconductors. High purity grades are necessary for some applications, and specific purification processes are employed in order to meet manufacturers specifications. High purity antimony is available in a range of forms and can be produced in three main grades.
