Scandium (Sc)
Bid:
27%
Invest
- Key Characteristics: Very lightweight, dispersed element with a silvery-white color; belongs to the transition metals.
Properties: Alloys with aluminum significantly increase strength and reduce structural weight.
Applications:
- Aerospace and Sports: Al-Sc alloys for aircraft components, rockets, and bicycle frames.
- Lighting: Mercury-scandium lamps for high-intensity lighting (e.g., sports stadiums, streetlights).
- Ceramics: Special oxide materials with enhanced strength.
Description
History and Discovery
Scandium was discovered in 1879 by Swedish chemist Lars Fredrik Nilson in euxenite ores. Its name comes from "Scandia," the Latin term for Scandinavia.
Physical and Chemical Properties
- Lightweight, silvery-white metal, classified as a transition metal; density 2.99 g/cm³.
- Chemically reactive, oxidizes in air to form a dull coating.
- Rarely found in pure form, typically occurs mixed with other rare earth elements.
Main Applications
- Aerospace and Sports: Aluminum-scandium alloys (Al-Sc) are extremely strong yet lightweight, used in aircraft, rockets, and bicycles.
- Lighting: Mercury-scandium lamps provide bright white light, ideal for stadiums and theaters.
- Ceramics and Fuel Cells: Scandium oxide enhances conductivity and mechanical properties of ceramics.
Interesting Facts
- Due to its rarity and production complexity, scandium remains one of the most expensive metals among the "rare earths" (although it is not formally a lanthanoid).
- Mining and processing challenges result in high costs and limited production.
- Uniqueness: Forms ultra-light and strong alloys indispensable in aviation and sports equipment.
- Importance: Critical for the aerospace industry and advanced fuel cells.
- Extraction Challenges: Scandium content in ores is extremely low, requiring complex chemical processing.
