Scandium
(information)
Here’s a structured breakdown of the **20 most common uses for Scandium (Sc, atomic #21)** — a rare and lightweight transition metal. Because scandium is scarce and expensive, its applications are mostly in **specialty alloys, high-tech fields, and research**, rather than bulk industry like aluminum or calcium. --- ### 📊 Global Scandium Uses by Sector #### **1–5: Aerospace & Transportation (~35–40%)** 1. **Scandium-Aluminum Alloys (Sc-Al)** – Strengthens aluminum for aerospace structures. 2. **Aircraft Components** – Lightweight, high-strength materials. 3. **Spacecraft & Satellite Parts** – Used in structural alloys where strength-to-weight is critical. 4. **Automotive Alloys (Racing & High-Performance)** – Improved strength and weldability. 5. **Marine Applications** – Lightweight alloys for racing boats and naval vessels. --- #### **6–10: Energy & Lighting (~20–25%)** 6. **Metal Halide Lamps** – Scandium iodide improves light efficiency and color. 7. **High-Intensity Stadium Lighting** – Natural sunlight-like color rendering. 8. **Film & Television Lighting** – Bright, white light for production. 9. **Solar Cells (Experimental)** – Potential dopant in thin-film photovoltaics. 10. **Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs)** – Scandium-stabilized zirconia electrolytes for higher efficiency. --- #### **11–15: Electronics & Advanced Materials (~15–20%)** 11. **Lasers** – Scandium compounds used in some laser crystals. 12. **High-Performance Ceramics** – Sc₂O₃ in advanced ceramics. 13. **Microelectronics (Research)** – Potential dopant in semiconductors. 14. **Sensors & Optical Devices** – Used in niche optical coatings. 15. **Radioactive Isotope Sc-46** – Tracer in oil refining and pipeline leak detection. --- #### **16–20: Specialty, Sports & Research (~10–15%)** 16. **Sports Equipment (Baseball Bats, Lacrosse Sticks, Bicycles)** – Sc-Al alloys for strength and lightness. 17. **Golf Club Shafts** – Lightweight and strong alloying material. 18. **Aerospace Welding Wire** – Improves weld strength and reduces defects. 19. **Scientific Research** – Scandium salts in experiments and material studies. 20. **Jewelry & Collectibles (Rare)** – Occasionally used in luxury alloys due to rarity. --- 💡 **Summary of Approximate Shares by Sector** | Sector | % of Global Scandium Use | | -------------------------------- | ------------------------ | | Aerospace & Transportation | 35–40% | | Energy & Lighting | 20–25% | | Electronics & Advanced Materials | 15–20% | | Specialty, Sports & Research | 10–15% | --- Scandium demand is **tiny compared to bulk metals**, but it’s extremely valuable — often over **$4,000/kg for oxide** and more for pure metal. Most of its use today is in **Sc-Al alloys and high-intensity lighting**, though **fuel cells may become its largest market** if scaling continues. Do you want me to prepare the **sector pie chart + top-20 bar chart for Scandium** like we did for Aluminum, Silicon, and Calcium?Known Methods of Extraction
Perfect 👍 — next in **periodic table order** is **Scandium (Sc, atomic number 21).** Scandium is a **rare earth metal** and extremely **scarce in the Earth’s crust** (\~22 ppm). It is never found free in nature, usually present as trace amounts in **aluminum ores (bauxite), rare earth minerals (thortveitite), and uranium ores.** Extraction is complex and involves **separation from other metals**. Here are the **20 most common methods of extracting Scandium**: --- # **20 Most Common Methods of Extracting Scandium** ### **A. Industrial / Large-Scale Extraction** 1. **Extraction from Bauxite Residue (Red Mud) via Acid Leaching** – Most common modern source; leach Sc³⁺ with HCl/H₂SO₄. 2. **Extraction from Uranium Ores** – Scandium is a minor byproduct; acid leaching of uranium tailings. 3. **Extraction from Rare Earth Ores (Thortveitite, Euxenite, Gadolinite)** – Acid treatment dissolves scandium for separation. 4. **Solvent Extraction from Leach Liquors** – Uses organophosphorus reagents (e.g., D2EHPA) to separate Sc³⁺. 5. **Ion Exchange Chromatography** – Separates Sc³⁺ from other rare earths or impurities. 6. **Precipitation as Scandium Oxalate (Sc₂(C₂O₄)₃)** – From leach solutions; later calcined to Sc₂O₃. --- ### **B. Reduction to Metallic Scandium** 7. **Electrolytic Reduction of ScCl₃ in Molten Salt** – Produces metallic scandium. 8. **Thermal Reduction of Sc₂O₃ with Calcium** – Common lab-scale metallothermic reduction. 9. **Reduction of ScF₃ with Calcium or Aluminum** – Produces Sc metal. 10. **Reduction of ScCl₃ with Alkali Metals (K or Na)** – Rare lab method. 11. **Magnesiothermic Reduction of Sc₂O₃** – Experimental high-purity lab method. 12. **Aluminothermic Reduction of Sc₂O₃** – Produces scandium metal + alumina byproduct. --- ### **C. Specialized / Experimental Methods** 13. **Scandium Recovery from Spent Titanium or Aluminum Alloys** – Recycling of Sc-containing alloys. 14. **Electrochemical Reduction in Ionic Liquids** – Low-temperature lab method. 15. **Solvent Extraction from Molten Salt Electrolytes** – Research method for high-purity Sc. 16. **Precipitation from Hydroxide (Sc(OH)₃) and Calcination** – Produces Sc₂O₃ as intermediate. 17. **Precipitation with Sodium Carbonate (Sc₂(CO₃)₃)** – Alternative separation step. 18. **Extraction from Rare Earth Chlorides via Chlorination** – Lab-scale selective separation. 19. **Ion-Exchange Resin Purification** – Further purification of scandium from mixed rare earth streams. 20. **Plasma Reduction of Scandium Oxide** – Experimental method for ultrahigh purity metallic Sc. --- ✅ **Summary:** * **Main sources today:** Bauxite residue (red mud), rare earth ores, uranium tailings. * **Primary industrial separation:** Acid leaching + solvent extraction or ion exchange → Sc₂O₃ → reduction to metal. * **Metallic scandium:** Produced via **calciothermic or electrolytic reduction of Sc₂O₃ or ScCl₃**. * **Rarity:** High cost due to scarcity and complex extraction process; mostly used in **aluminum-scandium alloys** and **specialty electronics**. --- Next in periodic order is **Titanium (Ti, atomic number 22).** Do you want me to continue with **20 extraction methods for Titanium**?
