Scandium Fluoride
SCANDIUM FLUORIDE, ANHYDROUS, 99.99%, Scandium trifluoride, SCANDIUM TRIFLUORIDE, Scandium trifluoride, 99.50%
- CAS
- 13709-47-2
- EC
- 237-255-4
- Sectors
- Mining & Metals, Electronics & Solar PV, Aerospace & Defense
Scandium Fluoride (ScF₃; MW 101.95 g/mol) is a white anhydrous powder with a melting point of 1 530 °C and a crystal density of 2.638 g/cm³. Commercially available at purities of 99.9 %, 99.99 %, and 99.999 % REO, with a total rare earth oxide (TREO) content typically exceeding 81 %, it is the principal scandium compound used in fluoride-based reduction and deposition processes.
The compound is supplied as fine powder, 3–12 mm vacuum-deposition pieces, and sputter targets. Its combination of high thermal stability, low phonon energy, and controlled fluoride stoichiometry makes it the preferred precursor for scandium metal recovery and a functional material in advanced optical and electronic applications.
Scandium Fluoride
Applications
- Mining & Metals: Primary intermediate for scandium metal and Al-Sc master alloy production via metallothermic/aluminothermic reduction and fluoride-salt electrolysis.
- Mining & Metals: Used as a fluoride-route feedstock where precise control of fluoride-to-scandium stoichiometry is required during pyrometallurgical processing.
- Electronics & Solar PV: Deposited as thin films by physical vapour deposition (PVD) and sputtering for UV and deep-UV optical coatings on lenses and mirrors.
- Electronics & Solar PV: Employed as a sputter-target material and evaporation source in the fabrication of ceramic capacitors and dielectric layers.
- Aerospace & Defense: Applied as a laser host crystal dopant precursor in solid-state laser systems requiring low-loss fluoride matrices.
Safety & Risks
Danger (GHS). H301/H311/H331: acutely toxic if swallowed, in contact with skin, or if inhaled. H315/H319/H335: irritates skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. Transport: UN 3288, Class 6.1. Use P100 respirator, chemical-splash goggles, and nitrile gloves; store in a dry, well-ventilated area away from moisture and alkalis.
Packaging
1 kg and 5 kg sealed containers for high-purity lots; 25 kg fibre drums for technical grade. All packaging stored under dry conditions.