Scandium 1

Abstract

SCANDIUM 1 (Data in metric tons of scandium oxide content unless otherwise noted) Domestic Production and Use: Domestically, scandium-bearing minerals were neither mined nor recovered from mine tailings in 2015. Scandium that was previously produced domestically was primarily from the scandium-yttrium silicate mineral thortveitite and from byproduct leach solutions from uranium operations. Domestic capacity to produce ingot and distilled scandium metal was at three facilities, in Ames, IA; Phoenix, AZ; and Urbana, IL. The principal source for scandium metal and scandium compounds was imports from China. The principal uses for scandium in 2015 were in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) and aluminum-scandium alloys. Other uses for scandium included ceramics, electronics, lasers, lighting, and radioactive isotopes. In SFOCs, electricity is generated directly from oxidizing a fuel. Scandium is added to a zirconia-base electrolyte to improve the power density and lower the reaction temperature of the cell. For metal applications, scandium metal is typically produced by reducing scandium fluoride with calcium metal. Scandium-aluminum alloys are produced for sporting goods, aerospace, and other high-performance applications. Scandium is used in small quantities in a number of electronic applications. Some lasers that contain scandium are used in defense applications and in dental treatments. In lighting, scandium iodide is used in mercury-vapor high-intensity lights to simulate natural light. Scandium isotopes are used as a tracing agent in oil refining.