Scandium oxide price index

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Scandium oxide price index

This post is a summary of the Scandium oxide developments. The price developments of Scandium oxide are expressed in US$ prices converted FX rates applicable at the time when the price was valid. Scandium oxide price index developments are calculated from multiple separate sources of data to ensure statistical accuracy.

The outlook for Scandium oxide rices, on the second tab, is generated from different inputs including:

• Very recent price developments of immediate cost drivers of Scandium oxide prices
• Recent price developments of underlying feedstocks which drive the price of Scandium oxide 
• Market futures for both cost drives and feedstocks of Scandium oxide prices
• Adjustment of current supply/demand imbalances in the Scandium oxide market
• Longer term trends in likely demand conditions

Further information on the Scandium oxide price index

What is Scandium oxide

Scandium oxide, also known as scandia or Scandium(III) oxide, is a chemical compound with the formula Sc2O3. It is composed of scandium (Sc) and oxygen (O) atoms and is one of the most common compounds of scandium. Scandium oxide is a white, odorless solid at room temperature and is insoluble in water.

Key properties of scandium oxide include:

High Melting Point

Scandium oxide has a relatively high melting point of approximately 2,425°C (4,397°F), making it suitable for high-temperature applications.

Electrical Insulator

Scandium oxide is an electrical insulator, meaning it does not conduct electricity. This property makes it useful in applications where electrical insulation is required, such as in electronic devices and capacitors.

Dielectric Properties

Scandium oxide exhibits high dielectric constant and low electrical conductivity, making it suitable for use as a dielectric material in capacitors and other electronic components.

Optical Properties

Scandium oxide has interesting optical properties and is transparent in the visible and near-infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. It is used as a component in certain optical glasses, ceramics, and coatings.

Catalytic Properties

Scandium oxide can act as a catalyst or catalyst support in various chemical reactions. It is used in catalytic processes for organic synthesis, petrochemical refining, and environmental remediation.

Thermal Barrier Coatings

Due to its high melting point and thermal stability, scandium oxide is used as a component in thermal barrier coatings for protecting metallic components in high-temperature environments, such as gas turbines and aerospace components.

Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs)

Scandium oxide-based materials, such as scandium-stabilized zirconia (ScSZ), are used as electrolyte materials in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). ScSZ-based electrolytes exhibit high ionic conductivity at intermediate temperatures, improving the efficiency and performance of SOFCs.

Ceramics

Scandium oxide is used as a component in ceramic materials, such as alumina-scandia ceramics, which exhibit improved mechanical properties, including strength, toughness, and wear resistance.

Overall, scandium oxide’s unique combination of properties makes it valuable in a range of applications across industries such as electronics, energy, aerospace, catalysis, and materials science.

How is Scandium oxide produced

Scandium oxide (Sc2O3) is typically produced through a process involving the extraction and purification of scandium-containing ores. Here’s an overview of the production process:

Ore Mining

Scandium is primarily found in low concentrations within rare earth minerals, including euxenite, gadolinite, and thortveitite, as well as certain uranium ores. The first step in scandium oxide production is mining these ores using conventional mining methods, such as open-pit or underground mining.

Ore Beneficiation

Once the scandium-containing ores are extracted from the ground, they undergo beneficiation processes to concentrate the scandium content. Beneficiation methods may include crushing, grinding, magnetic separation, and flotation to separate scandium-bearing minerals from the gangue minerals.

Acid Leaching

After beneficiation, the scandium-bearing minerals are subjected to acid leaching, where they are treated with acids such as sulfuric acid or hydrochloric acid. This process dissolves the scandium and other rare earth elements, separating them from the rest of the ore.

Solvent Extraction

The scandium is then extracted from the leach solution using solvent extraction techniques. Solvent extraction involves mixing the leach solution with an organic solvent that selectively binds to scandium ions, allowing them to be separated from other elements.

Precipitation

The scandium is precipitated from the organic phase using a suitable precipitating agent, such as ammonium hydroxide or oxalic acid. This step helps purify the scandium and concentrate it into a solid form.

Calcination

The precipitated scandium compound is then calcined, or heated to high temperatures in the presence of oxygen, to convert it into scandium oxide (Sc2O3). Calcination drives off any remaining impurities and volatile components, leaving behind pure scandium oxide.

Refining (Optional)

The scandium oxide may undergo further refining processes to remove any remaining impurities and achieve the desired purity level. Refining methods may include recrystallization, vacuum distillation, or zone refining.

Final Product

The final product of the scandium oxide production process is typically scandium oxide powder or granules, which can be further processed into various scandium-containing materials or used directly in applications such as ceramics, electronics, and catalysis.

Overall, scandium oxide production involves a combination of ore mining, beneficiation, acid leaching, solvent extraction, precipitation, calcination, and refining steps to extract and purify scandium from its natural sources. Due to its relatively low abundance and dispersed distribution, scandium oxide production remains limited, and efforts are ongoing to develop more efficient extraction and processing techniques.

What is Scandium oxide used for

Scandium oxide (Sc2O3) finds various applications across different industries due to its unique properties. Some common uses of scandium oxide include:

Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs)

Scandium oxide-based materials, such as scandium-stabilized zirconia (ScSZ), are used as electrolyte materials in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). ScSZ-based electrolytes exhibit high ionic conductivity at intermediate temperatures, improving the efficiency and performance of SOFCs for clean energy generation.

Ceramics

Scandium oxide is used as a component in ceramic materials, particularly alumina-scandia ceramics. These ceramics exhibit improved mechanical properties, including strength, toughness, and wear resistance, making them suitable for use in high-performance applications such as cutting tools, wear-resistant coatings, and refractory materials.

Optical Glasses and Ceramics

Scandium oxide is used as a component in certain optical glasses and ceramics. It can enhance the optical properties of materials, such as transparency and refractive index, making them suitable for use in lenses, windows, laser components, and optical coatings.

Catalysis

Scandium oxide can act as a catalyst or catalyst support in various chemical reactions. It is used in catalytic processes for organic synthesis, petrochemical refining, and environmental remediation, where its high surface area and reactivity contribute to improved reaction rates and selectivity.

Thermal Barrier Coatings

Due to its high melting point and thermal stability, scandium oxide is used as a component in thermal barrier coatings for protecting metallic components in high-temperature environments. These coatings are used in aerospace components, gas turbines, industrial furnaces, and automotive engines to improve heat resistance and thermal insulation.

Electronic Devices

Scandium oxide is used as a dielectric material in electronic devices such as capacitors and thin-film transistors. It offers high dielectric constant and low electrical conductivity, making it suitable for insulating layers in integrated circuits, memory devices, and flat-panel displays.

Phosphors

Scandium oxide can be doped with other elements to produce phosphors for use in lighting applications. Scandium-doped phosphors emit light when excited by an external energy source and are used in fluorescent lamps, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and other lighting technologies.

Overall, scandium oxide’s versatility makes it valuable in a range of applications across industries such as energy, electronics, aerospace, catalysis, optics, and materials science.

How big is the global Scandium oxide market

The main rare earth elements ranked in decreasing order of market size are:

Neodymium (Nd): Neodymium is often ranked as one of the most valuable rare earth elements due to its crucial role in the production of high-strength permanent magnets used in a wide range of applications, including electric vehicle motors and wind turbines.

Cerium (Ce): Cerium is among the most abundant rare earth elements and is used in various industrial applications, such as catalysts, glass polishing, and metallurgy.

Lanthanum (La): Lanthanum is used in catalysts, ceramics, optics, and as a component in certain types of batteries and fuel cells.

Dysprosium (Dy): Dysprosium is used to improve the high-temperature performance of neodymium-iron-boron magnets. It is essential for the growth of the clean energy and electric vehicle markets.

Praseodymium (Pr): Praseodymium is used in combination with neodymium to produce high-strength magnets. It is vital in the manufacture of electric vehicle motors and wind turbines.

Europium (Eu): Europium is primarily used in phosphors for color television tubes, LED lighting, and other display technologies.

Terbium (Tb): Terbium is used in phosphors for color television tubes, fluorescent lamps, and as an activator for green phosphors.

Yttrium (Y): Yttrium is not a lanthanide, but it is often grouped with rare earth elements. It is used in a variety of applications, including ceramics, superconductors, and phosphors.

It’s important to note that market rankings may change over time as new technologies and applications emerge and as supply and demand conditions evolve. The demand for rare earth elements is influenced by various industries, including electronics, automotive, renewable energy, and more. For the most current market information and rankings, it’s advisable to consult industry reports and market analysis from reputable sources