Antimony Powder
| Infobox on Antimony Powder | |
|---|---|
| Example of Antimony Powder |  |
| Facts | |
| Origin |
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| Stowage factor (in m3/t) | 4,63 |
| Humidity / moisture | - |
| Ventilation | - |
| Risk factors | See text |
Antimony Powder
Description
Stibnite, sometimes called antimonite, is a sulfide mineral with the formula Sb2S3. This soft grey material crystallizes in an orthorhombic space group. It is the most important source for the metalloid antimony. The name is from the Greek stibi through the Latin stibium as the old name for the mineral and the element antimony. As an antimony sulfide, it is potentially toxic and should be handled with care.
Stibnite has a structure similar to that of arsenic trisulfide, As2S3. It is grey when fresh, but can turn superficially black due to oxidation in air.
Stibnite occurs in hydrothermal deposits and is associated with realgar, orpiment, cinnabar, galena, pyrite, marcasite, arsenopyrite, cervantite, stibiconite, calcite, ankerite, barite and chalcedony.
Small deposits of stibnite are common, but large deposits are rare. It occurs in Canada, Mexico, Peru, Japan, China, Germany, Romania, Italy, France, England, Algeria, and Kalimantan, Borneo. In the United States it is found in Arkansas, Idaho, Nevada, California, and Alaska.
Sometimes, Antimony Ore (stibnite) and Antimony Residue are offered as antimony.
Application
Stibnite is applied as tempering agent in alloys and in the paint industry and is poisonous.
Antimony trisulfide finds use in pyrotechnic compositions, namely in the glitter and fountain mixtures. Needle-like crystals, "Chinese Needle", are used in glitter compositions and white pyrotechnic stars. The "Dark Pyro" version is used in flash powders to increase their sensitivity and sharpen their report. It is also a component of modern safety matches. It was formerly used in flash compositions, but its use was abandoned due to toxicity and sensitivity to static electricity.