Geology Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 1.2 Properties and uses of a selection of substances (elements and minerals)
Type
Useful substance
Uses and properties
Alkali metals Cesium (Cs)
Radioactive source (atomic clocks, medicine)
Lithium (Li)
Batteries
Potassium (K)
Pharmaceutical Industry
Rubidium (Rb)
Photovoltaic cells, safety glass
Sodium (Na)
Pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, pesticides
Alkali earths Barium (Ba)
Trapping of residual gases in cathode ray tubes
Beryllium (Be)
Alloys
Calcium (Ca)
Alloys
Magnesium (Mg)
Chemical and pharmaceutical industries, light alloys
Radium (Ra)
Luminescence (watches)
Strontium (Sr)
Varnishes, ceramic glazes
Base metals
Cadmium (Cd) Batteries, alloys
Cobalt (Co) Alloys, catalyst in the chemical and petroleum industry
Copper (Cu) Electrical conductors, alloys
Lead (Pb) Car batteries, plumbing
a
, crystal (glass), ammunition
a
Molybdenum (Mo) Alloy (hardened steel), catalyst (oil industry)
Nickel (Ni)
Alloys (stainless steel), batteries, electric guitar strings
Bronze (copper and tin), coating of tin cans
a
, electronics
(solder), coins
Tin (Sn)
Zinc (Zn)
Galvanizing (protection of steel against corrosion by
depositing a thin layer of Zn), brass (copper-zinc alloy)
Construction
metals
Iron (Fe) construction - cars, buildings, bridges
Aluminium aircraft, electric cables
Chromium (Cr) Alloy (stainless steel), protective coating on steel
Manganese (Mn) Alloys, batteries, fertilizer
Vanadium (V) Additive in steel, catalyst
Other metals Bismuth (Bi) Fuses, glass, ceramics, pharmaceutical and cosmetic
industries
Hafnium (Hf) Filament in light bulbs, nuclear reactors, alloys, processors
Mercury (Hg) Pharmaceutical industry, cathode fluorescent lamps, dental
fillings
a
, batteries, thermometers
a
Niobium (Nb) Alloys, superconducting magnets
Scandium (Sc) Alloys (especially aluminum), metal halide lamp
Tantalum (Ta) Electronic capacitors
Technetium (Tc) Medical Imaging
Thallium (Tl)
Low temperature thermometers, infrared detectors
Titanium (Ti)
Pigments, high-technology alloys
Tungsten (W)
Tungsten carbide - abrasive
Yttrium (Y)
TV screens, lasers (YAG), superconducting alloys
Zirconium (Zr)
High-technology alloys
Precious
metals
Gold (Au)
Jewelry, coins, gold
Indium (In)
Photovoltaic cells, infrared detectors, nuclear medicine
Iridium (Ir)
Alloys (hardening of platinum alloys), mirror finish on ski
goggles
Osmium (Os)
Alloys, pen nibs, pacemakers
Palladium (Pd)
Electronics (cell phones, computers
), catalysts, hydrogen
...
sensors, jewelry
(continued)
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