Scandium Oxide, Scandium Trioxide, Scandium Sesquioxide, Skandia, Scandia, 12060-08-1

Scandium Oxide, Scandium Trioxide, Scandium Sesquioxide, Skandia, Scandia, 12060-08-1

🧪 Scandium(III) Oxide (Sc₂O₃)

Scandium(III) oxide, also known as scandia, is a rare earth oxide valued for its high purity, thermal stability, and chemical inertness. It is widely used in advanced ceramics, electronics, and alloy systems where high-performance materials are required.

1️⃣ Chemical Identity

• Chemical Name: Scandium(III) Oxide

• Formula: Sc₂O₃

• Molecular Weight: 137.91 g/mol

• CAS Number: 12060-08-1

• EC Number: 235-042-0

• Appearance: White powder

• Crystal Structure: Cubic bixbyite (space group Ia3)

• Density: ~3.86 g/cm³

• Melting Point: ~2,400 °C

• Solubility: Insoluble in water, soluble in strong acids

2️⃣ Physical & Chemical Properties

• Thermal Stability: High melting point and phase stability, suitable for refractory applications.

• Chemical Behavior: Stable in air; reacts with acids to form scandium salts.

• Dielectric Properties: Useful in electronic and sensor applications due to insulating behavior.

• Particle Engineering: Available in nano, submicron, and micronized grades; surface area tailored for sintering.

3️⃣ Production & Grades

• Source: Extracted from rare earth ores such as bastnäsite and monazite after separation of scandium.

• Process: Acid leaching → purification → precipitation → calcination → milling/classification.

• Purity Grades:

  • Technical grade: 99.9% (3N)

  • High purity: 99.99–99.999% (4N–5N) for electronics and optics

• Forms: Nano-grade, micronized powders, agglomerate-controlled materials.

4️⃣ Applications

• Advanced Ceramics: Improves thermal stability and mechanical strength in high-performance ceramics.

• Electronics: Used in dielectric layers, sensors, and thin-film applications.

• Alloys: Enhances grain refinement and mechanical properties in aluminum and magnesium alloys (Sc-Al alloys).

• Optics & Coatings: Thin oxide films for specialized optical and protective coatings.

• Chemical Precursors: Starting material for scandium salts (nitrates, chlorides) used in catalysis and organometallic chemistry.

5️⃣ Synonyms

• Scandium Oxide

• Scandium(III) Oxide

• Scandia

• Scandium Trioxide

• Scandium Sesquioxide

• Sc₂O₃

6️⃣ Safety & Handling

• Toxicity: Low acute toxicity; fine powders may irritate eyes and respiratory tract.

• Precautions: Use gloves, goggles, and dust masks when handling.

• Storage: Keep in dry, sealed containers; inert atmosphere recommended for high-purity grades.

• Waste Disposal: Follow local environmental regulations for rare earth oxides.

📌 Summary: Scandium(III) Oxide (CAS 12060-08-1) is a high-purity rare earth oxide with excellent thermal stability, dielectric properties, and chemical inertness, making it essential in ceramics, electronics, alloys, and optical coatings.