macrohard1March 21, 2012I find the choices of elements in this investor "guide" to be very interesting indeed:
These really do exist:
Tantalum - from the wiki:
Tantalum is also used to produce a variety of alloys that have high melting points, are strong and have good ductility. Alloyed with other metals, it is also used in making carbide tools for metalworking equipment and in the production of superalloys for jet engine components, chemical process equipment, nuclear reactors, and missile parts.[42][43] Because of its ductility, tantalum can be drawn into fine wires or filaments, which are used for evaporating metals such as aluminium. Since it resists attack by body fluids and is nonirritating, tantalum is widely used in making surgical instruments and implants. For example, porous tantalum coatings are used in the construction of orthopedic implants due to tantalum's ability to form a direct bond to hard tissue.[44]
Hafnium
Due to its heat resistance and its affinity to oxygen and nitrogen, hafnium is a good scavenger for oxygen and nitrogen in gas-filled and incandescent lamps. Hafnium is also used as the electrode in plasma cutting because of its ability to shed electrons into air.[47]
The high energy content of 178m2Hf was the concern of a DARPA funded program in the US. This program determined the possibility of using a nuclear isomer of hafnium (the above mentioned 178m2Hf) to construct high yield weapons with X-ray triggering mechanisms—an application of induced gamma emission, was infeasible because of its expense. See Hafnium controversy.
Hafnium controversy
[url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hafnium_controversy]HafniumControversy[/url]
Antimony - from the wiki
The main use of antimony is in the form of antimony trioxide is used in the making of flame-proofing compounds. It is nearly always used in combination with halogenated flame retardants only exception is in halogen containing polymers. The formation of halogenated antimony compounds is the cause for the flame retarding effect of antimony trioxide.[43] It improves Markets for these flame-retardant applications include children's clothing, toys, aircraft and automobile seat covers. It is also used in the fiberglass composites industry as an additive to polyester resins for such items as light aircraft engine covers. The resin will burn while a flame is held to it but will extinguish itself as soon as the flame is removed. Fireproofing consumes about half of the annual production of antimony.[32][44]
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Continues to be interesting......plus I'm learning all about Chemistry again.....
