Antimony
trioxide is produced from stibnite ores (antimony trisulfide) or as a
by-product of lead smelting and production. It is used mainly in
fire-retardant formulations for plastics, rubbers, textiles, paper and
paints.
It is also used as an additive in glass and ceramic products and as a
catalyst in the chemical industry. Occupational exposure may occur during
mining, processing and smelting of antimony ores, in glass and ceramics
production, and during the manufacture and use of products containing
antimony
trioxide.
| SPECIFICATION
OF ANTIMONY TRIOXIDE |
| Sb2O3
|
99.5% MIN |
| Al2O3 /As
|
0.06% MAX |
| PbO/Pb |
0.1% MAX |
| Fe2O3 /Fe
|
0.006% MAX |
| Cu |
0.002% MAX |
| Se |
0.005% MAX |
| Whiteness |
95% MIN |
Features
- In flame retarding thermoplastics, the synergistic action between
halogenated flame retardants and antimony trioxide is well known in
the plastic industry.
- The Izod impact strength and translucency are two key properties
that are diminished because of the particle size and pigmentation
strength of antimony trioxide.
- The loss in translucency limits the range of available color
choices because of the high loading required to offset the tinting
effect of antimony trioxide.
|
