Discovered in 1450. Elemental antimony is generally found in one of two allotropes and has both metallic and non-metallic properties. The main source of this element is Stibnite (Sb₂S₃), an ore which whilst being widely distributed is not very plentiful (hence the abundance of only 0.2 ppm of antimony within the earth's crust). Antimony is a relatively stable element and is not attacked by dilute acids or alkalis. It is a poor electrical and thermal conductor. Applications of antimony and its alloys include its use as an alloying element for hardening other metals, a bearing material and in batteries. High purity antimony is used in the semiconductor industry.Powder - Small particles with an approximately defined size range. Those materials described as alloy precursors are not true alloys - they are made by sintering a blend of powders of the component metals to achieve alloying by diffusion. The resultant cake is ground and sieved to the required particle size range. Unless otherwise stated, the particle sizes shown are for guidance only. We do not guarantee either any particular size distribution between the quoted minimum and maximum sizes, or a specific particle shape.
