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Home , Bauxite, Chromite, Mica, Mineral, Pigment, Stibnite

40 Common and Their Uses

Aluminum The most abundant element in ’s Used in the nuclear and to crust. Aluminum originates as an called make , very strong alloys used in the alumina. is the main source aircraft industry. Beryllium are used of aluminum and must be imported from in fluorescent lamps, in X-ray tubes and as , , , , etc. Used a deoxidizer in bronze . is in transportation (automobiles), packaging, the gem stones and aquamarine. It building/construction, electrical, machinery is used in computers, telecommunication and other uses. The U.S. was 100 percent products, aerospace and defense import reliant for its aluminum in 2012. applications, appliances and automotive and consumer electronics. Also used in medical equipment. The U.S. was 10 percent import A native element; antimony metal is reliant in 2012. extracted from stibnite ore and other minerals. Used as a hardening for , especially storage batteries and cable The U.S. consumes about 6 percent of sheaths; also used in bearing metal, type chromite ore production in various forms metal, , collapsible tubes and foil, sheet of imported materials, such as chromite ore, and pipes and semiconductor . chromite chemicals, ferroalloys, Antimony is used as a flame retardant, in chromium metal and . Used , and in antimony salts are used in as an alloy and in stainless and heat resisting the rubber, chemical and industries, steel products. Used in chemical and as as medicine and glassmaking. The U.S. metallurgical industries (chrome fixtures, was 87 percent import reliant in 2012. etc.) Superalloys require chromium. It is produced in South , and . The U.S. was 70 percent import reliant A heavy metal contained in barite. Used as for chromium in 2012. a heavy additive in oil well drilling; in the paper and rubber industries; as a filler or Clays extender in cloth, and products; Used in floor and wall tile as an absorbent, in in radiography (“barium milkshake”); as a , drilling, foundry bond, deoxidizer for ; a sparkplug in alloys; pelletizing, brick, light weight and in making expensive white . and . It is produced in 40 states. Ball is used in floor and wall tile. is Bauxite used for drilling mud, pet waste absorbent, composed of hydrated aluminum pelletizing and foundry sand bond. . In the U.S., it is primarily converted Kaolin is used for paper coating and filling, to alumina. See “aluminum.” The U.S. was refractory products, , , rubber 100 percent import reliant in 2012. and catalyst manufacture. Common clay is used in brick, light aggregate and cement. The U.S. was not import reliant in 2012.

101 Constitution Avenue N.W. | Suite 500 East | Washington, DC 20001 | 202. 463. 2667 | www.nma.org (fluorspar) Used primarily in superalloys for aircraft gas Used in production of hydrofluoric , turbine engines, in cemented for which is used in the , ceramics, cutting and wear-resistant applications, optical, electroplating and plastics industries; chemicals (paint dryers, catalysts, magnetic in the metallurgical treatment of bauxite; as coatings) and permanent magnets. The a flux in open steel furnaces and in has cobalt in metal ; in electrodes; emery Minnesota, , , , ; electric arc welders; ; and Missouri, and Oregon. Cobalt paint . It is a key ingredient in the production comes principally from Congo, processing of aluminum and . The , , Russia, and . U.S. was 100 percent import reliant in 2012. The U.S. was 78 percent import reliant in 2012. Gallium is used in integrated circuits, light- Copper emitting diodes (LEDs), photodetectors and Used in building construction, electric and solar cells. It has a new use in chemotherapy electronic products (cables and wires, for some types of cancer. Integrated switches, plumbing, heating); transportation circuits are used in defense applications, equipment; roofing; chemical and high performance computers and pharmaceutical machinery; and alloys (, telecommunications. Optoelectronic devices bronze and beryllium alloyed with copper were used in areas such as aerospace, are particularly vibration resistant); alloy consumer goods, industrial equipment, castings; electroplated protective coatings medical equipment and telecommunications. and undercoats for , chromium, , Leading sources are , UK, China etc. More recently copper is being used in and Canada. The U.S. was 99 percent import medical equipment due to its anti-microbial reliant in 2012. properties. The United States has mines in Arizona, Utah, New , and Montana. Leading producers are Chile, , Used in jewelry and arts; dentistry and China, United States and Australia. The U.S. medicine; in medallions and coins; in was 35 percent import reliant in 2012. ingots as a store of value; for scientific and electronic instruments; as an electrolyte in the electroplating industry. Mined in A rock-forming ; industrially Alaska and several western states. Leading important in glass and ceramic industries; producers are China, Australia, United patter and enamelware; soaps; bond States, Russia and Canada. The U.S. was not for wheels; ; insulating import reliant in 2012. compositions; fertilizer; tarred roofing materials; and as a sizing, or filler, in and paper. In pottery and glass, feldspar Processed and used as prefabricated functions as a flux. End-uses for feldspar wallboard or an industrial or building plaster; in the U.S. include glass (70 percent) and used in cement ; agriculture pottery and other uses (30 percent). The and other uses. The U.S. was 12 percent U.S. was not import reliant in 2012. import reliant in 2012.

101 Constitution Avenue N.W. | Suite 500 East | Washington, DC 20001 | 202. 463. 2667 | www.nma.org ( chloride–salt) ceramics or glass; X-ray and gamma Used in and animal , radiation shielding; soundproofing material seasoning and food preservation; used in construction industry; and ammunition. to prepare sodium , soda , Industrial type batteries are used as a source caustic soda, , chlorine, of uninteruptible power equipment for metallic sodium; used in ceramic glazes; computer and telecommunications networks metallurgy, curing of hides; mineral ; and mobile power. United States mines lead soap manufacturing; home softeners; mainly in Missouri, but also in Alaska and highway de-icing; photography; in scientific Idaho. The U.S. was not import reliant in equipment for optical parts. Single 2012. used for , and infrared transmission. The U.S. was 19 percent import reliant for in 2012. Compounds are used in ceramics and glass; batteries; lubricating greases; air treatment; in primary aluminum production; in the Indium oxide is used for electrical manufacture of lubricants and greases; rocket conductivity purposes in flat panel devices propellants; vitamin A synthesis; solder; - most commonly in liquid crystal displays batteries; medicine. Lithium batteries (LCDs). It is also used in , alloys, have become a substitute for nickel- compounds, electrical components, batteries in hand held/portable electronic semiconductors and research. Indium ore is devices. There is one brine operation in not recovered from in the U.S. China is Nevada. Australia, Chile and China are major the leading producer. It is also produced in producers. The U.S. was more than 70 Canada, and Belgium. The U.S. was 100 percent reliant for lithium in 2012. percent import reliant in 2012. Iron Ore Ore is essential to iron and steel production. Used to manufacture steels of various types. Also used in the making of manganese Powdered iron: used in metallurgy products; ferroalloys. Construction, machinery and magnets; high-frequency cores; auto parts; transportation end uses account for most catalyst. Radioactive iron (iron 59): in U.S. consumption of manganese. Manganese medicine; tracer element in biochemical and ore has not been produced in the U.S. since metallurgical research. Iron : in , 1970. Major producers are , printing , plastics, , paper Australia, China, Gabon and Brazil. The U.S. . : as pigment; in was 100 percent import reliant in 2012. polishing compounds; metallurgy; medicine; magnetic inks. Most U.S. production is from Michigan and Minnesota. China, Australia, commonly occur as flakes, scales or Brazil and Russia are the major producers. shreds. Ground mica is used in paints, as The U.S. was not import reliant in 2012. cement, as a dusting agent, in oil well- drilling ; and in plastics, roofing, rubber Lead and welding rods. Sheet mica is fabricated Used in lead-acid batteries, gasoline additives into parts for electronic and electronic (now being eliminated) and tanks, and equipment. China and Russia are leading solders, seals or bearing; used in electrical producers. The U.S. was 100 percent import and electronic applications; TV tubes and reliant in 2012. glass, construction, and protective coatings; in ballast or weights;

101 Constitution Avenue N.W. | Suite 500 East | Washington, DC 20001 | 202. 463. 2667 | www.nma.org used in electronic circuits; in dental alloys Used in alloy steels to make automotive used for making crowns and bridge. South parts, construction equipment, gas Africa, Russia, the U.S. and Canada are major transmission pipes; stainless steels; producers. The U.S. was over 50 percent steels; cast ; super alloys; and chemicals import reliant for most PGMs in 2012. and lubricants. As a pure metal, molybdenum is used because of its high melting Phosphate rock temperatures (4,730 F) as filament supports Used to produce phosphoric acid for in light bulbs, metalworking dies and furnace ammoniated phosphate fertilizers, parts. Major producers are China, the feed additives for livestock, elemental United States, Chile and Peru. The U.S. was , and a variety of phosphate not import reliant in 2012. chemicals for industrial and home consumers. U.S. production occurs in Nickel Florida, North Carolina, Idaho and Utah. Vital as an alloy to stainless steel; plays The U.S. is a major producer. It was not key role in the chemical and aerospace import reliant in 2012. industries. End uses were transportation, fabricated metal products, electrical Potash equipment, petroleum and chemical A of ; used as a industries, household appliances and fertilizer, in medicine, in the chemical industrial machinery. Major producers are industry and to produce decorative the Philippines, , Russia, Australia effects on brass, bronze and nickel. The and Canada. The U.S. was 49 percent import leading producers are Canada, Russia and reliant in 2012. Belarus. The U.S. was 81 percent import reliant in 2012. Expanded perlite is used in building construction products like roof insulation Used in the manufacture of , sulfuric boards; as fillers, for horticulture aggregate acid and sulfur dioxide; pellets of pressed and filter aids. It is produced in New Mexico pyrite are used to recover iron, and other western states and is processed gold, copper, cobalt, nickel; used to make in over 20 states. Leading producers are the inexpensive jewelry. U.S., and . The U.S. was 24 percent import reliant in 2012. (silica) As a crystal, quartz is used as a semiprecious Group (PGM) gem stone. Crystalline varieties include Includes platinum, palladium, , , citrine, rose quartz, , iridium, osmium and ruthenium. Commonly etc. Cryptocrystalline forms include , occur together in nature and are among the , , etc. Because of its piezoelectric scarcest of the metallic elements. Platinum properties quartz is used for pressure is used principally in catalysts for the control gauges, oscillators, resonators and wave of automobile and industrial emissions; stabilizes; because of its ability to rotate in jewelry; in catalysts to produce , the plane of of light and its organic chemicals and pharmaceuticals. PGMs transparency in ultraviolet rays, it is used in used in bushings for making glass heat-ray lamps, prism and spectrographic used in -reinforced and other lenses. Also used in manufacturing glass, advanced materials, in electrical contacts, in paints, , refractory materials and , in conductive and resistive films precision instruments.

101 Constitution Avenue N.W. | Suite 500 East | Washington, DC 20001 | 202. 463. 2667 | www.nma.org Rare Earth Elements (lanthanum, metal mines primarily in Alaska and Nevada. , praseodymium, neodymium, The leading global producers include Mexico, promethium, samarium, europium, China, Peru, Chile, Australia, Bolivia and the gadolinium, , , holmium, U.S. The U.S. was 57 percent reliant in 2012. erbium, , and lutetium) Used mainly in petroleum fluid cracking Sodium Carbonate catalysts, metallurgical additives and alloys, (soda ash or ) glass polishing and ceramics, permanent Used in glass container manufacture; in magnets and phosphors. It is estimated that fiberglass and specialty glass; also used in 40 pounds of rare are used in a hybrid production of flat glass; in liquid detergents; car for rechargeable battery, permanent in medicine; as a food additive; photography; magnet motor and the regenerative braking cleaning and boiler compounds; pH control system. The U.S. now has one rare earth of water. Most U.S. production comes from (bastnasite) mine in California. More than 85 Wyoming. The U.S. is a major producer. percent of global production is in China. The U.S. was import reliant for most of its rare Sulfur earth metals in 2012. Used in the manufacture of , fertilizers, petroleum refining; and metal Silica . Elemental sulphur and byproduct Aluminum and aluminum alloy producers sulfuric acid were produced in over 100 and the are major operations in 26 state and the Virgin Islands. users of metal. Silica is also used in The U.S., Canada, China and Germany are manufacture of computer chips, glass and major producers. refractory materials; ceramics; abrasives; water filtration; component of hydraulic cements; filler in cosmetics, pharmaceutical, A refractory metal with unique electrical, paper, insecticides; anti-caking agent in chemical and physical properties used ; flatting agent in paints; thermal to produce electronic components, insulator; and photovoltaic cells. China is the tantalum capacitors (in auto electronics, leading producer. The U.S. was 36 percent pagers, personal computers and portable reliant on metallurgical grade silicon metal in telephones) ; for high-purity tantalum metals 2012. in products ranging from weapon systems to superconductors; high-speed tools; catalyst; Silver sutures and body implants; electronic Used in coins and medals, electrical and circuitry; thin-film components. Used in electronic devices, industrial applications, optical glass and electroplating devices. jewelry, silverware and photography. Leading producers are Mozambique, Brazil The physical properties of silver include and Congo. The U.S. was 100 percent reliant ductility, electronics conductivity, malleability in 2012. and reflectivity. Used in lining vats and other equipment for chemical reaction vessels, water distillation, etc.; a catalyst Titanium mineral concentrates are used in manufacture of ethylene; ; silver primarily by pigment plating; table cutlery; dental, medical and producers. A small amount is used in welding scientific equipment; bearing metal; magnet rod coatings and for manufacturing carbides, windings; brazing alloys, solder. Also used chemicals and metals. It is produced in in catalytic converters, cell phone covers, Florida and Virginia. Leading producing electronics, circuit boards, bandages for countries are South Africa, Australia, Canada wound care and batteries. Silver is produced and China. The U.S. was 77 percent reliant in the U.S. at over 30 base and precious in 2012.

101 Constitution Avenue N.W. | Suite 500 East | Washington, DC 20001 | 202. 463. 2667 | www.nma.org Titanium and titanium dioxide are used in aerospace applications (in engines, Used in animal feed, cat litter, cement, airframes and space and missile applications). aquaculture (fish hatcheries for removing It is also used in armor, chemical processing, ammonia from the water); water softener marine, medical, power generation, sporting and purification; in catalysts; odor control; goods and other non-aerospace applications. and for removing radioactive from Titanium sponge metal was produced in nuclear plant effluent. The U.S. was not three operations in Nevada and Utah. The import reliant in 2012. leading global producers are China, Japan, Russia and Kazakhstan. Zinc Of the total zinc consumed in the U.S., about 55 percent was used in galvanizing, More than half of the tungsten consumed 21 percent in zinc-based alloys, 16 percent in the United States was used in cemented in brass and bronze, and 8 percent in other parts for cutting and wear-resistant uses. Zinc compounds and dust were used materials, primarily in the construction, principally by the agriculture, chemical, paint, metalworking, mining, and oil- and gas- and rubber industries. drilling industries. The remaining tungsten was consumed to make tungsten heavy Major co-products of zinc mining and alloys for applications requiring high ; smelting, in order of decreasing tonnage, electrodes, filaments, wires, and other were lead, sulfuric acid, cadmium, silver, gold components for electrical, electronic, and . Zinc is used as protective heating, lighting, and welding applications; coating on steel, as , as an alloying steels, superalloys, and wear-resistant alloys; metal with copper to make brass and as and chemicals for various applications. chemical compounds in rubber and paints; China is by far the leading producer. Russia, used as sheet zinc and for galvanizing iron; Canada, Austria and Bolivia also produce electroplating; metal spraying; automotive tungsten. The U.S. produces very little. It parts; electrical fuses; anodes; dry cell was 42 percent import reliant in 2012. batteries; ; chemicals; roof gutter; engravers’ plates; cable wrappings; organ Uranium pipes and pennies. used in Nearly 20 percent of America’s electricity medicine, paints, in vulcanizing rubber, is produced using uranium in nuclear sun block. Zinc dust used for primers, generation. It is also used for nuclear paints, of noble metals; medicine, atomic dating, powering nuclear removal of impurities from in zinc submarines and other uses in the U.S. electrowinning. U.S. production is in three defense system. The U.S. received 83 states and 13 mines. Leading producers are percent of its uranium from other countries China, Australia, Peru and the U.S. The U.S. in 2012. was 72 percent import reliant in 2012.

Vanadium Sources: The U.S. , Facts About Minerals (National Metallurgical use, primarily as an alloying Mining Association); Mineral Information Institute; the Information agent for iron and steel, accounted for Administration about 93 percent of the domestic consumption. Of the other uses for vanadium, the major non-metallurgical use was in catalysts for the production of maleic anhydride and sulfuric acid. China, South Africa and Russia are largest producers. The U.S. was 96 percent reliant in 2012.

101 Constitution Avenue N.W. | Suite 500 East | Washington, DC 20001 | 202. 463. 2667 | www.nma.org