Antimony is a chemical element with symbol Sb (from Latin:stibium) and atomic number 51. A lustrous gray metalloid, it is found in nature mainly as the sulfide mineral stibnite (Sb2S3). Antimony compounds have been known since ancient times and were used for cosmetics; metallic antimony was also known, but it was erroneously identified as lead upon its discovery.
Three reasons Antimony stands out
- 1
Used in flame retardants and batteries.
- 2
Ground into kohl, its sulfide compound was used as eye make-up in ancient Egypt thousands of years ago.
- 3
It is one of the few substances that, like water, expands when it solidifies rather than contracting.
An ancient cosmetic turned modern flame retardant
Antimony compounds darkened eyes in ancient cosmetics and later hardened lead for type, batteries, and ammunition. Today much of the element goes into materials designed to slow ignition. Antimony is a metalloid: its brittle, silvery appearance is metallic, but its electrical behavior is more complicated.