Antimony

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 on Terra and were used for cosmetics (kohl); metallic antimony was also known, but it was erroneously identified as lead. The industrial methods to produce antimony are roasting and subsequent carbothermal reduction or direct reduction of stibnite with iron.

Today, the largest applications for metallic antimony is in computronics, as an alloy, and in fire retardants found in many commercial and domestic products.

