Scandium

Scandium

Scandium (Sc) is a silvery-white, lightweight transition metal that exhibits properties of both rare earth elements and typical transition metals. It has a melting point of 1541 °C and is known for its high strength-to-weight ratio and excellent corrosion resistance. Scandium is typically extracted from minerals such as thortveitite and uranium tailings through solvent extraction and ion exchange processes.

Goodfellow's high-purity Scandium materials are designed to meet the exacting requirements of advanced research and industrial applications. Available in forms such as foil, powder, rod, and pellet, scandium is valued for its lightweight nature and unique strength-enhancing properties when alloyed with other metals. This rare earth element exhibits a high melting point and develops a slightly yellowish or pinkish cast when exposed to air. Scandium finds critical applications in the aerospace industry, high-performance sports equipment manufacturing, and solid oxide fuel cell technology. It plays a vital role in creating lightweight yet strong aluminum alloys for aircraft components and enhancing the efficiency of fuel cells for clean energy production. Goodfellow's scandium products support cutting-edge research in areas such as additive manufacturing and next-generation lighting technologies. Their distinctive properties make them indispensable for scientists and engineers advancing materials science, particularly in applications requiring high strength-to-weight ratios and improved energy efficiency.



General Properties

PropertyValue
Atomic Number21
Density2.985 g/cm³
Melting Point1541 °C
Boiling Point2836 °C
Thermal Conductivity15.8 W/m·K
Electrical Resistivity61 nΩ·m
Crystal StructureHexagonal Close-Packed (HCP)

Mechanical Properties

PropertyValue
Tensile Strength250 MPa (approximate)
Yield StrengthUnknown / Not well defined
Young’s Modulus74 GPa
HardnessBrinell ~750 (approximate)
Elongation at Break~20%
Poisson’s Ratio0.28

Chemical Properties

PropertyValue
Corrosion ResistanceGood; forms passive oxide layer
ReactivityReacts slowly with water and quickly with acids
Oxidation States+3
Surface OxideForms Sc₂O₃ in air
IdentifierValue
SymbolSc
Atomic Number21
CAS Number7440-20-2
UN NumberNot classified
EINECS Number231-129-2
IsotopeTypeNotes
Sc-45StableOnly naturally occurring isotope (100% abundance)

Scientific Applications

Use CaseDescription
Alloy ResearchStudied for strengthening aluminum alloys in aerospace applications
Fuel Cell DevelopmentUsed in solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) electrolytes and components
Laser CrystalsUtilized as a dopant in yttrium-aluminum garnet (YAG) crystals
Additive ManufacturingSupports development of high-strength printable alloys
Catalyst SystemsExplored as a promoter in catalyst systems for organic reactions

Industrial Applications

Use CaseDescription
Aerospace AlloysEnhances aluminum alloys for aircraft and spacecraft structures
Sports EquipmentUsed in high-performance bicycle frames and baseball bats
3D PrintingUsed in specialty alloys for additive manufacturing
Lighting SystemsUsed in high-intensity discharge lamps for industrial lighting
ElectronicsUtilized in semiconductors and advanced ceramic components
PurityApplicationsNotes
96% (1N6)Suitable for alloying with aluminum for general-purpose structural applicationsEconomical grade, often sufficient for commercial lightweighting uses
99% (2N)Used in higher-spec aluminum-scandium alloys for improved corrosion resistanceIndustrial-grade purity suitable for aerospace and sporting goods
99.9% (3N)Ideal for research, fuel cells, and advanced electronics developmentHigh-purity option used in scientific and high-performance applications
99.95% (3N5)Used in specialized semiconductor and optical materials researchUltra-high purity for critical experimental and clean energy applications
Synonym
Sc
Sc metal
Sc element
Scandium metal
Scandium element
Scandium transition metal
Scandium rare earth element
Element 21