Antimony is a chemical element with the symbol Sb and atomic number 51. A lustrous gray metalloid, it is found in nature mainly as the sulfide mineral stibnite. Antimony compounds have been known since ancient times and were powdered for use as medicine and cosmetics, often known by the Arabic name kohl.

What does the name antimony mean?

The name derives from the Greek 'anti - monos', meaning not alone. Allotropes. White Sb, Yellow Sb, Black Sb.

What is antimony used for?

Main uses of antimony

Antimony is used to increase the hardness of alloys, with lead alloys for batteries, with lead/copper/tin alloys for machine bearings. It is also used in automotive clutch and brake parts. The other major use is as antimony trioxide which is used for the production of flame retardant chemicals.