Antimony belongs to group VA of the periodic table. It is a crystalline, silvery-white element that exists in both free and combined forms. This element is found in ores, such as stibnite, antimony trisulfide, stibcontite, cervantite, valentinite, senarmontite, and kermasite. Antimony can also be obtained by treating Lead-base scrap material. It exists in two allotropic forms, yellow and black.

Antimony is hard, brittle, and lustrous. It is a poor conductor of heat and electricity. Antimony compounds are toxic and can cause headache, dizziness, and depression. This element does not react with acids and alkalis. Antimony is stable in air. It burns on heating, producing white fumes.

The common uses of Antimony are:

• In semiconductor devices, such as infrared detectors, diodes, and hall-effect devices

• For producing antifriction alloys

• As an alloying agent to increase its mechanical strength and hardness

In addition, Antimony black is used as a bronzing coating material for metals and plaster casts.

Few common compounds of Antimony and their uses are:

• Antimony Trioxide: In flame-retardant formulations

• Potassium Antimonyl Tartarate: To treat parasitic infections

In addition, Antimony compounds are used in bearings, storage batteries, and safety matches. Antimony compounds are also used to manufacture glass, enamels, and pottery.

Element Properties

Periodic Table