Antimony metal is mined all over the world and its main derivative is antimony trioxide. The many uses of this product include things as varied as a catalyst, an opacifier, a flame retardant synergist, a clarifying agent, or a white pigment. The industries that use antimony oxide are as varied as its applications. Plastics, textiles, glass, paint, and construction are just a few of the industries that use antimony.
Antimony oxide itself is not a flame retardant, but a flame retardant synergist. The antimony works in combination with a halogen flame retardant. To achieve the same amount of fire protection you only need to use half as much halogen if you include the antimony synergist. Many different kinds of materials use the antimony/halogen combination for flame retardant additives. Some of the most common plastics are high impact polystyrene (HIPS), ethylene propylene diene M- class rubber (EPDM), polyethylene (PE), epoxies, polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyurethanes, and phenolics. Plastics companies use many additives like natural flame retardant in a variety of ways. You can buy antimony trioxide in large supersacks or multi-walled paper bags of various sizes. Other packaging options include drums or kegs. You will find that the halogen flame retardant is packaged the same way. However, some companies will sell the products already mixed together in the appropriate ratios in a liquid dispersion for easier handling.
The glass industry also uses antimony oxide as a clarifying agent. Many glass manufacturers purchase ingredients in glass to help with the quality of their product. Clarifying agents are what makes it possible to have clear glass. The antimony trioxide is added during the meltdown process and will remove any bubbles, inclusions or color that is not desired. Sand has many natural impurities and they will lead to light blue or light green glass if it is not treated with a clarifying agent. Some clarifying agents have problems of their own because over time they react with ultraviolet light, but antimony trioxide is not one of these. One example is with manganese oxide which turns the glass purple over time as it starts to break down.
{Antimony is also used as a catalyst in the polymerization of polyethylene terephthalate or PET.The polymerization of polyethylene terephthalate or PET requires a catalyst and antimony is used for that purpose as well.} PET is a very common substance as it is used to make water bottles and other liquid containers among other things. Antimony that is used as a catalyst is usually of higher purity than the product used for glass or flame retardants. Many PET plants use antimony because it has a good cost to performance ratio. There are other choices that work better as catalysts, but they are prohibitively expensive.
Because it is a white powder, antimony is sometimes used as a white pigment It can be used as an opacifier for the porcelain and enamel industries often. Companies can purchase antimony is many ways like as a antimony trioxide flame retardant and as a result it is used in many final products. No matter who you are or what you do, the chances of you coming in contact with a product that contains antimony or was made with antimony in the process are extremely high every day of your life.
Tags: antimony trioxide, catalyst, clarifying agent, flame retardant, glass, manufacturing, plastic, science