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Elena Levchenko, Institute of mineralogy, geochemistry and crystal chemistry of rare elements (Russian Federation)
Elena Kalish, Institute of mineralogy, geochemistry and crystal chemistry of rare elements (Russian Federation)
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Strontium traditionally is grouped with rare metals. It is a good thermal and electrical conductor. It is widely used in the production of signal rockets and tracer bullets. Carbonate of strontium and its compounds are used to make high-grade glass, enamels, glaze and paints. In most countries, major branches where strontium is used are cathode-ray tube glass for color television and PC monitors and pyrotechnics (>60% of total consumption); other branches are production of ferrite (ceramic magnets) (18%), pigments and fillers (5%), cycle electrolysis (4%) and in others (6%). Strontium alloys with some nonferrous metals are characterized by high hardness, corrosion resistance and other significant characteristics. Metallic strontium and alloys are used in metallurgy, electrical and radio engineering.
One of the reasons why rare metals are restrained from wide use in production is their high cost. Strontium and its oxide are an exception: 1 kg of strontium oxide costs no more than 1 dollar. Low price and unique characteristics of strontium, its oxide and salts are in favor of their wide use in metallurgy, mechanical engineering and other branches of industry. Promising branches of industry in which strontium may be used are automobile construction, production of modifiers for aluminum casting, electronics (photomagnetic elements of memory), laser technology (active material for solid lasers), and manufacturing of high-temperature superconducting ceramics. Celestite ore in carbonaceous rocks may be used without concentration in the direct alloying process. Strontium alloying was used in Irkutsk ZTM, in Magnitogorsk MK; celestite ore was used in Tula metallurgy plant.
In the last few years of the former Soviet Union existence work was conducted to obtain frost=-resisting steel alloyed by strontium: testing of mounted equipment, dredge shovels in northern conditions showed their better durability as compared to details made of steel alloyed with vanadium and other metals. However the use of strontium as alloy metal only remained experimental semi commercial research. Admitting that use of strontium seems to be promising, metallurgists continue using traditional ferroalloys.
The task of wide use of strontium as alloying metal is difficult to fulfill and it takes combined efforts of scientists and manufacturers. Possibilities of strontium as alloying metal await realization.
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