1. Lithium
is found in pegmatite ores
such as spodumene,
lepidolite and in amblygonite
ores.
2. It constitutes about
0.002 percent of Earth’s crust.
3. Australia, Chile,
and Portugal were
the world’s largest suppliers.
4. Bolivia
has half of the world’s lithium deposits though not a major producer of
lithium.
5. The
major commercial form is lithium carbonate, Li2CO3.
PROPERTIES:
1. The
purest form of Lithium is obtained by the process of Electrolysis using
Graphite anodes and steel cathodes.
2. Lithium
floats on water and is highly reactive with it.
3. The
alkali metal exhibits no natural radioactivity
4. Lithium
salts have complex effects when absorbed into the body. They are not highly
toxic, although high levels can be fatal.
USES:
1. In
metallurgy, the active element is used as a scavenger (remover of impurities)
in the refining of such metals as iron, nickel, copper,
and zinc and their
alloys.
2. As
an Initiator of polymerization, for example, in the production of synthetic rubber.
3. Production
of other organic chemicals, especially pharmaceuticals.
4. Rechargeable
lithium storage batteries for electric vehicles and for power storage.
5. Lightweight
lithium-magnesium alloys harder than aluminium alone, have structural
applications in the aerospace and other industries
