Antimony (semimetallic)
Semimetallic to metallic chemical element (see metal),
chemical symbol Sb, atomic number 51.
Of its various allotropes, the most common is a lustrous,
bluish, brittle, flaky solid. In nature antimony occurs chiefly as the gray sulfide
mineral stibnite, Sb2S3. Pure antimony metal has no important uses, but its
alloys and compounds are extremely useful. Some antimony alloys have the rare
quality of expanding on solidifying; these are used for castings and for type
metal. Alloys with lead are used in car batteries, bullets, and cable sheaths.
Anti-friction alloys with tin and lead (babbitt metals) are used as components
of machine bearings. Antimony compounds (valences 3, 4, and 5) are widely used
as flame retardants in paints, plastics, rubber, and textiles; others are used
as paint pigments.
Source:Britannica
encyclopedia
