REFSAN ANTIMONY TRIOXIDE (R6318)

ANTIMONY OXIDE

Antimony oxide is a white powder and is derived from the mineral stibnite (antimony sulfide) or produced by the oxidation of antimony metal or as a byproduct of the refining or antimonial-lead alloys. It sometimes behaves as a metal and sometimes as a non metal.

In the glass industry small percentages of antimony oxide are used to remove bubbles in optical glass, to decolorize specialty glasses and as a stabilizing agent in the production of emerald green glass. It is slightly fluxing in higher temperature glazes.

Antimony oxide is used as an opacifier in porcelain enamel (mainly leadless but it has been replaced to an extent by titania) and ceramic glazes. However it can give a yellowish color if the glaze contains lead, due to the precipitation of yellow lead antimonate (known as Naples yellow).

Antimony is also used as a yellow body stain in combination with rutile or titanium.

The brick industry employs antimony to bleach the surface of red-burning clay to a buff color to produce variegated coloration.

It is valuable for its high 'tinctoral strength' (hiding power or opacity) when used in conjunction with halogen-containing compounds. Nanophase Antimony Oxide is also available from Beijing Sunpu, it has very high surface catalytic activity, can be used as an accelerant in terylen polyester industry, and in high-grade plastic, rubber, dye, fiber, insulation materials, chemical composite materials,etc.