Minor metals and modern technological breakthroughs (1)

In the quiet shadows cast by the main metals, the minor metals soldier on, making their modest but steady contribution of usefulness to mankind. They are often in the leading edge of technological breakthroughs, taking up some unique positions in the advance of our high-tech scientific and industrial efforts.

The following metals, favorites of mine, may be worthy of note. Cobalt: Discovered by Brandt in 1735, it appears as sulphides and arsen ides and frequently as a byproduct of copper and nickel mining.

Western world reserves in ore are about 3.5 million tonnes, Zaire has 38%, Cuba 29% and Zambia 10%. Canada enjoys a high ranking in world output as only Zaire, Zambia and the Soviet Union produce more.

Cobalt’s availability is dependent on the over-all level of copper and nickel output. The current price is around $7.60(US) per lb. High-temperature alloys

The most spectacular current use of cobalt is in the manufacture of high-temperature alloys for the “hot-area” components in our advanced gas turbine jet engines. These engines, first developed by Ohain in Germany in 1939 and Whittle of Britain, aided enormously by International Nickel of Canada (Mond Nickel), now Inco Europe, help fly the planes and helicopters we entrust ourselves to so often each year.

Radioisotope Cobalt-60, nicknamed the “cobalt bomb,” is used in radiation therapy in human beings, a procedure largely developed in Canada.

Cobalt is a constituent of vital vitamin B-12. Other applications are found in extremely powerful magnets of all sizes and in catalysts facilitating hydrogenation and, in its oxide form, in the preparation of paint, particularly the lovely cobalt blue, which is also used in glass and ceramics.

Cobalt alloys are used for cutting tools and as the matrix for tungsten carbide drill bits.

Antimony: Known from early prehistoric times, it is mentioned in the Bible. It was identified by B. Valentine in 1604. The current price is around 97 cents per lb. Canada produces about 4,000 tonnes a year, valued at some $12 million.

It is an element often found with gold and silver in nature and as its naturally occurring sulphide, stibnite. The metal’s compounds are used to treat parasite infections; antimony is also used to induce vomiting in cases of poisoning. Medicinal applications

Antimony is a powerful cardiac depressant, diminishing the force and frequency of the heartbeat and is common in many substances used both in medicine and industry.

The metal combines readily with other metals to form alloys, for example in our free press in typemetal (mainly lead, antimony and tin), and in Britannia metal which is tin with antimony and other smaller additions.

Antimony lead, 12% antimony, has been used in making the still- popular shells, bullets and shrapnel, and in the manufacture of storage batteries. The oxide is used extensively in enamels and pigments and the sulphide goes into rubber manufacture.

Strontium is named for Strontian in Argyllshire, Scotland. Argyll means “wars of the Irish (settlers).” This alkaline-earth metal occurs as strontianite and celestite, and is found mainly in Scotland (known there from 1764), Arizona, Arkansas and Germany.

The metal resembles calcium physically and chemically. The radioactive isotope Sr90 is produced in nuclear fallout and it is used in our modern electric power generators.

Strontium compounds are used to refine sugar and it is a constituent of fireworks, imparting a crimson “red fire” color.

Sugar and fireworks and nuclear power reactors. What a remarkable range of uses.005 T. P. (Tom) Mohide, a former president of the Winnipeg Commodity Exchange, served as a director of mining resources with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources prior to his retirement in 1986. The second part of his article on minor metals will appear next month.

]]>