Scandium
Name: Scandium
Symbol: Sc
Atomic Number: 21
Mass fraction of the earth’s shell: 5,1 x 10-4 %
Melting Point: 1541 °C
Boiling Point: 2830 °C
Electrical Conductivity: 1,81 · 106 A·V−1·m−1
Name: Scandium
Symbol: Sc
Atomic Number: 21
Mass fraction of the earth’s shell: 5,1 x 10-4 %
Melting Point: 1541 °C
Boiling Point: 2830 °C
Electrical Conductivity: 1,81 · 106 A·V−1·m−1
HISTORY
Lars Frederik Nilson
In 1879, Lars Frederik Nelson isolated an oxide with previously unknown properties from 10 kilograms of euxenite and gadolinite. He named it “scandium” after his homeland. It was Per Teodor Cleve who later recognised the similarity of scandium to eka-boron. In 1937, it was possible for the first time to produce pure scandium by electrolysis from a melt of potassium, lithium, and scandium chloride.
In 2003, there were only three mine production sites for scandium: the Bayan Obo Mine (China), Shovti Vody (Ukraine), and Kola (Russia). In 2018, Australian Mines joined them.
CHARACTERISTICS & EXTRACTION
In air, the light metal becomes matte and forms a protective yellowish oxide layer. Scandium reacts with dilute acids to form hydrogen and trivalent cations. If scandium is exposed to water vapour, conversion to scandium oxide Sc2O3 takes place at 600 °C and above.
Usually, thortveitite is used as a base, which is processed in several steps to scandium oxide. Metallic scandium is then produced by conversion to fluoride and reduction with calcium.
Scandium iodide works in high-pressure mercury vapour lamps, which are used for stadium lighting, for example. Together with holmium and dysprosium, scandium produces a light that is very similar to daylight. Scandium is also used to make laser crystals. Scandium oxide increases the speed of magnetic data storage devices. Scandium serves as an alloying additive and is used in Russian fighter planes and in bicycles. A scandium-aluminium alloy significantly reduces the weight of Smith & Wesson’s 360PD revolver.
