Scandium

Aluminum Alloy

Scandium contains unique properties that when incorporated into materials of construction may create unexpected high performance product properties.

The lack of assured supply sources has slowed the adoption of scandium, but at the same time demand for high performance materials has spurred development of commercial applications. The largest of these potential applications is the use of scandium in aluminum alloys.

In general, it is possible to modify and improve aluminum base materials by alloying them with scandium. The addition of scandium with other alloy materials improves strength and heat tolerance, promotes corrosion resistance and extends weldability and weld strength to an array of aluminum alloy materials.

Currently the global mineral production value of aluminum is slightly more than $100 billion, less than only iron ore as a structural metal and slightly greater than copper. The historic growth rate of demand for aluminum is 4% and the forecast for growth through 2018 is ever stronger. Aluminum is chosen for its weight/strength advantages and ease of shaping and manufacturing. Almost all aluminum is alloyed either mildly or in advanced combinations of alloy metals.

The single largest market sector use for aluminum is transportation, primarily aircraft and automotive. Aluminum products are increasingly incorporated into these applications to meet fuel efficiency requirements. Scandium alloy characteristic can enable even greater uses for aluminum.

Aircraft makers use aluminum alloys now, and are assessing adoption of aluminum scandium alloy materials. The use of Al-Sc alloys could reduce aircraft weights by15-20%. In addition, the ability to employ weldable structures promises similar cost reduction potential.

Automotive applications could be even larger consumers of scandium-aluminum materials. Aluminum is currently widely used in drive-trains, chassis and body panels. Each pound of aluminum substituted for conventional steel materials results in a 2.5 pound weight loss for the vehicle. Scandium alloyed aluminum could also promote the adoption of aluminum for wheels and engine parts.

Additive layer manufacturing (3D Printing) is particularly suited to scandium-aluminum alloy use, where high strength, moldability and weldability are important.

If only a tiny fraction (0.1%) of the annual aluminum market absorbed scandium in alloy at a 0.5% level, it would represent 350 tonnes ($700M) in global scandia demand.

Electrical Applications

Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) are currently the primary application for scandium, where the metal a substitute for yttrium. Scandium exhibits certain electrical and heat stabilizing qualities that make it significantly more effective than yttrium in numerous applications.

  • Scandia-stabilized zirconia (SSZ) has extremely high oxygen-ion conductivity, as required for a SOFC electrolyte
  • Scandium works as a heat stabilizer in the system, enables reactions at lower temperatures, generates higher power outputs, and increases both the performance and commercial life of the unit

High voltage tension wires for power transmission are another potential scandium market. Aluminum-scandium alloy has much higher conductivity than other alloys, allowing the wire performance to be superior, both physically (long spans) and electrically (superior conductivity).

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