Page 171 - Materials Chemistry, Second Edition

158 3 Metals

sulfur-based sedimentary deposits. Metamorphic rocks are those formations that
have changed composition and morphology over time through the influence of
temperature and pressure. Examples of these rocks include marble, slate, gneiss,
and yield similar metals as igneous formations.
Most metals are obtained through physical and chemical modification of ores that
contain a sufficiently high concentration of the desired metal. Table 3.1 lists some
metals, regions of their primary occurrence, and some applications for the metallic
materials. Quite often, the processing steps used to isolate and purify metals from

Table 3.1. Natural Occurrence of Selected Metals and Materials-Based Applications
Metal Selected applications a Primary locations b
Li Batteries, glasses, aerospace components US, Chile, China, Argentina
Na Dyes, pigments, lamps, photoelectric cells Chile, Peru, US
K Nuclear reactors, respiratory equipment Ger., Can., France, Spain
Be X-ray tubes, ship/aircraft navig. systems US, Africa, Brazil, Rs.
Mg Auto parts, coatings, photoengraving US, Can., S. Amer., Asia
Ca Lighter flints, lights, plastics stabilizer US, Can., S. Amer., Asia
Sr Glasses, ceramics, paints, TV tubes Mexico
Sc High-intensity lamps, nuclear reactors China, US, Aus., Ind.
Y Coatings, capacitors, superconductors, lasers China, US, Aus., Ind.
Ti Golf clubs, surgical implants, jet engines US, Aus., S.A., Norway
Zr Prosthetic devices, nuclear reactors Ind., US, Aus., S.A.
V Tools, ceramics, batteries, magnets US, Mex., Peru, Rs., S.A.
Nb Heat shields, electromagnets, spaceships Japan, Rs., Can., Brazil
Ta Aircraft turbines, rocket nozzles, HT vessels Aus., Brazil, Thailand, Can.
Cr Corrosion-resistant coatings, tools S.A., Turk., Rs., Cuba, Phil.
Mo Lubricants, lamp filaments, integ. circuits US, Aus., Sweden
W Filaments, coatings, missiles, tools, paints US, Asia, S. Amer., Rs.
Mn Steels, paints, batteries US, Can., France, Ger., Ind.
Fe Autos, tools, structural materials US, Can., China, Brazil, Rs.
Ru Coatings, superconductors, electrodes S.A., Rs., US
Os Fountain pen tips, pacemakers, forensics S.A., Rs., US
Co Magnets, batteries, recording media Can., N. Africa, Swe.
Rh Catalytic converters, coatings, crucibles S.A., Rs., US
Ir HT crucibles, spark plugs S.A., Rs., US
Ni Batteries, coatings, currency Can., Rs., Aus.
Pd Jewelry, dental crowns, surgical instruments S.A., Rs., US
Pt Jewelry, coatings, surgical implants, lighters S.A., Rs., US
Cu Conductive wire, pipes, currency Chile, US, Can.
Ag Jewelry, dental fillings, photography Mex., Peru, US, Can.
Au Jewelry, integ. circuits, heat shields, coatings S.A., US, Aus., Can.
Zn Coatings, pipes, highway guard rails US, Can., Aus., China
Cd Alloys, batteries, nuclear reactors Canada, Aus., Mexico
Al Auto parts, ceramics, coatings, paints Brazil, Jamaica, Asia
Sn Alloys, plating, flat glass Bolivia, Brazil, Malaysia
Pb HT vessels, pipes, sound abs. materials Aus., US, China, Peru
Ce Lighter flints, ceramic capacitors, magnets China, US, Aus., Ind.
Eu Television screens, nuclear reactors China, US, Aus., Ind.
Er Lasers, catalysts, phosphors China, US, Aus., Ind.
a
These selected applications may be for the pure metal or other compounds/alloys.
b
Can. ¼ Canada, Rs. ¼ Russia, Aus. ¼ Australia, Ind. ¼ India, S.A. ¼ South Africa.