Scandium Oxide
Discandium trioxide, Scandia, SCANDIUM OXIDE, 99.9%, SCANDIUM OXIDE, POWDER, 99.999%
- CAS
- 12060-08-1
- EC
- 235-042-0
- Sectors
- Mining & Metals, Oil, Gas & Energy, Electronics & Solar PV, Aerospace & Defense
Scandium Oxide (Sc₂O₃; formula O₃Sc₂, MW 137.91) is a white, water-insoluble rare earth oxide with a melting point of approximately 2 480 °C and a density of 4.1 g/cm³. Commercially available in purities from 99 % to 99.9999 % expressed as Sc₂O₃/TREO, with TREO ≥ 99 % as a standard trade basis and loss on ignition (LOI) ≤ 1 %.
Its primary industrial function is as a precursor for aluminium–scandium master alloys and as a stabilising dopant in solid oxide fuel cell electrolytes. High-purity grades are supplied as fine powder (d50 10–15 µm), evaporation tablets, or sputter targets for thin-film and optical applications.
Scandium Oxide
Applications
- Mining & Metals: Principal precursor for aluminium–scandium master alloy production, imparting grain refinement and improved mechanical properties to high-performance Al-Sc alloys.
- Oil, Gas & Energy: Used as a scandia–zirconia (ScSZ) electrolyte dopant at approximately 10 mol % in solid oxide fuel cells, enhancing ionic conductivity and long-term electrolyte stability.
- Electronics & Solar PV: Processed into sputter targets and evaporation tablets for deposition of scandium oxide dielectric and UV-transparent optical coating layers in semiconductor and photovoltaic device fabrication.
- Electronics & Solar PV: Applied in electroceramics and high-temperature dielectric components where thermal stability above 2 000 °C and controlled permittivity are required.
- Aerospace & Defense: Incorporated into laser crystal hosts (e.g. Er,Cr:YSGG) and metal halide lamp arc tubes, where high melting point and optical clarity under thermal load are critical.
Safety & Risks
Not classified as hazardous under GHS. Handle as a fine inorganic powder; avoid dust generation. Use dust mask (FFP2/N95), safety glasses, and gloves. Store in sealed containers in a cool, dry location away from moisture.
Packaging
Supplied in 1–5 kg bottles for high-purity lots, 5–25 kg drums for standard grades; 500–1 000 kg big bags available for technical-grade bulk orders. Store sealed and dry.