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Uses of Rhodium

Want to know it — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:32:11 +0000

Rhodium is a chemical element represented by the chemical symbol Rh and the atomic number 45. It is a hard silvery-white metal and is classified as a transition metal from the platinum group. It is a rare element that is only found in platinum ore or nickel ore, from which it is obtained commercially. It is extremely resistant to corrosion and this characteristic makes it viable for a number of different applications.

Uses of rhodium
The largest use of rhodium, about 80% of the world’s production, is as a catalyst in three-way catalytic converters. A catalytic converter is a device fitted to vehicle to convert toxic exhaust emissions into safer substances.

Rhodium is also used in the jewelry industry where it is often electroplated onto platinum or white gold to produce a reflective white surface in a process called rhodium flashing. It is also used as a coating for sterling silver to reduce the chance of tarnishing. Plated rhodium is sometimes used for optical instruments.

It is also used in some alloys containing platinum and palladium for hardening and to provide increased corrosion resistance.

A specialist device called a rhodium neutron detector is used to measure the neutron flux level in nuclear reactors.

It can also be used as an electrical contact material.

Did you know?
A rhodium-plated disc was given to singer-songwriter Paul McCartney by the Guinness Book of World Records to commemorate his achievement of becoming the all-time best-selling songwriter and recording artist.

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Uses of Kaolinite

Want to know it — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 12:46:02 +0000

Kaolinite is a clay mineral with the chemical formula Al²Si²O⁵(OH)⁴. It is a soft mineral that is usually white, but it can appear blue or rust colored due to impurities. It is a very common mineral and in mined in many countries of the world. When a rock contains a lot of kaolinite it is referred to as kaolin or China clay. Let’s take a look at the most common applications of this mineral.

Uses of Kaolinite

One of the most common uses of Kaolinite is in porcelain. Kaolin is the main ingredient of porcelain, which is sometimes known as China because this was where porcelain was first made.
The largest use of kaolinite is in the production of paper. It is used to control the gloss in certain grades of paper.
It is also used in paint to modify the level of gloss and to extend titanium dioxide.
It is sometimes used on organic farms where it is sprayed on crops to prevent insect damage. It may also be used on apple farms to prevent the sun scalding the fruit.
Kaolinite often contains trace amounts of thorium and uranium, which means that it can be useful in radiological dating.
It also has some important medical uses such as in improved medial gauze (QuikClot Combat Gauze). It was once used to treat diarrhea and is eaten in some cultures to suppress hunger.
Kaolinite is an additive in some cosmetics and toothpaste.

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Uses of Xenon

Want to know it — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 17:16:32 +0000

Xenon is a colorless and odorless noble gas, which means it is a gas with very low reactivity. It is represented on the periodic table with the symbol Xe and has an atomic number of 54. It occurs naturally in trace amounts in the atmosphere and is obtained as a byproduct when air is separated into oxygen and nitrogen. Xenon was first discovered in 1898 by William Ramsay and Morris Travers, but the first use for this gas wasn’t found until the 1930′s. Let’s take a look at some of the most common applications of Xenon.

Uses of Xenon

The first use for Xenon was in flash lamps used in photograph and it is still used for this purpose today. It is also used in strobe lights and some bactericidal lamps. This same technology also led to the invention of the first solid-state laser in 1960. Today xenon is used in excimer lasers, which are used for producing computer chips and in laser eye surgery.
Xenon is also used in xenon arc lamps. These lamps are used in solar simulators, film projectors, HID lamps, some night vision systems and high end flashlights. Xenon is also used in sodium vapor lamps as a starter gas.
A mixture of xenon and neon is used in the cells of plasma televisions.
Xenon gas, mixed with oxygen and air, is also used as a general anesthetic and is administered with an anesthesia machine.
The medical industry also utilizes two very important isotopes of Xenon, ¹³³X and ¹²⁹X. ¹³³X is used in nuclear medicine to image vital organs such as the heart, brains and lungs. It can also be used to measure blood flow. ¹²⁹X is used as a contrast agent in MRI scans.
Xenon is also used in bubble chambers and calorimeters, which are used for experiments.
It is also used as a propellant in spacecraft that use ion propulsion.

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Uses Of Magnesium Chloride

Want to know it — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 12:53:19 +0000

Magnesium Chloride is a naturally occurring salt that consists of magnesium and chlorine. This salt is odorless, colorless and has a bitter taste. It can be obtained from sea water and is also obtained from ancient seabeds. It is many important applications in a variety of industries.

Uses of magnesium chloride

Magnesium chloride is used to make many other magnesium compounds, including pure magnesium metal.
One of the most important uses of magnesium chloride is as a de-icer or anti-icing agent. It is preferred over the traditionally used salt (sodium chloride or table salt), because it is less toxic to plant life and doesn’t cause rusting. It is also sold to individuals and businesses for de-icing driveways and sidewalks. This same technique is also used to control dust and erosion on unpaved roads and indoor arenas.
Magnesium chloride is also commonly used as a coagulant in the production of tofu. In Japan the substance is known as “nigari”, which comes from the Japanese word for bitter.
Magnesium is also an essential additive to marine aquariums. If the magnesium level falls too low the pH will drop and make it difficult to maintain the correct levels of calcium.
Magnesium chloride is used in the medical and veterinary industries for magnesium supplements. It is also used as an ingredient in baby formula. Magnesium is essential for many bodily functions. It can also be used as an anaesthetic for some species of crustaceans, bivalves and cephalopods.
It is also used in the manufacture of paper, cement, fireproofing agents, brine, textiles and cements. When mixed with magnesium oxide it forms an extremely hard material called Sorel cement.

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Uses of Thermite

Want to know it — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 17:35:55 +0000

Thermite is a compound made of a metal oxide (commonly iron oxide) and a metal powder (aluminum) that produces a thermite reaction. A thermite reaction is not explosive when ignited, but instead creates a rapid burst of very high temperature (up to 2480 °C/4,500 °F) that can be focused on a specific area. This reaction was discovered by German chemist Hans Goldschmidt in 1893 and the first commercial use of thermite occurred just 6 years later. Let’s take a look at some of the most common applications of thermite.

Uses of Thermite
Thermite is often used to weld or cut through metal. This technique is most often used on railroad and tram tracks, because the welding or cutting can be completed without the need to remove the tracks or use heavy machinery. (video below)

Thermite is also be used to purify the ores of some metals. When used in this way it is called the thermite process or aluminothermic reaction.

Copper thermite is used to weld thick copper wires together. This is commonly used in the telecommunications and electrical industries.

Thermite hand grenades and charges are used by the military to destroy the supplies and equipment of the enemy. Since World War II thermite granades have also used for incapacitating artillery. They are commonly used for this purpose because they are silent and do not require explosive charges. Thermite can also used to destroy equipment to prevent it from falling into enemy hands. Thermite is also used in incendiary bombs, which are bombs that are designed to start fires.

The following video shows rail workers welding a railway track with thermite.

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Uses of Fiberglass

Want to know it — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 17:37:59 +0000

Fiberglass is a versatile material that is made of plastic and glass fibers. It is a lightweight, yet strong material that is known for being water resistant. It is also cheaper than many other the alternate materials, such as carbon fiber, which makes it a popular choice in a wide variety of industries. Let’s take a look at some of the most common applications of fiberglass.

Uses of Fiberglass
Fiberglass was first developed during World War II for use in aircraft radomes, which is an enclosure to shield a microwave or radar antenna from the harsh environment without effecting the signal. It is still used to construct radomes today. It is also used in a similar fashion, as shrouding for antennas, in the telecommunications industry.

After the war is gained popularity as a boat building material, because it is strong, lightweight and cheap. It is still used for this purpose today and has virtually replaced the wooden boat industry. Many other small watercraft are also made with fiberglass such as, jet skis, kayaks and canoes.

It is also used in the automotive industry for the body of many vehicles. It is also used in the model aircraft and other toy models.

It is also a common material used for constructing storage tanks. These tanks are used for any type of storage, such as water storage, but are most commonly used for chemical storage because they are resistant to strong chemicals. Septic tanks are also commonly made of fiberglass.

Many pipes are made of fiberglass. They are commonly used for firewater, sewerage, wastewater and drinking water systems. They are also used in gas systems in some circumstances.

Fiberglass is also a common material in the building industry. It is used to make many products such as; window canopies, roofing laminate, door surrounds and window sills. Fiberglass is also used to make panels used to construct composite housing.

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Uses of Pumice

Want to know it — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:32:22 +0000

Pumice is a lightweight volcanic rock made of solidified lava that was violently ejected from the volcano. It is usually pale in color, but it is sometimes brown or black. It forms when the lava is rapidly cooled and depressurized, which leads to bubbles and makes the rock porous. It may also form when water mixes with lava. Pumice has a number of niche applications and is widely used throughout the world because it occurs naturally in many places.

Uses of pumice
Ground pumice is used as an mild abrasive in many situations. It is this quality that makes it suitable for use in household cleaners, polish, heavy duty soaps, pencil erasers and toothpaste. It is also be used in the cosmetic industry where it is used in many products designed to exfoliate the skin. Also in this industry the whole pumice rock can be used, where it is known as a pumice stone. These stones are used to remove calluses as well as excess and dry skin from the feet. The mild abrasive effect of a pumice stone is also used to clean porcelain, such as stains in toilets.

A type of pumice, called pozzolan, is mixed with lime to create lightweight concrete. This type of concrete has been used for many years and was used for many Roman constructions. Occasionally pumice is used to create lightweight concrete blocks used in the construction industry.

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Uses of Acetone

Want to know it — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 12:52:57 +0000

Acetone is an organic compound made up of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. It is produced from propylene and over 6.5 million tonnes are produced each year. It is also produced as a byproduct of the normal metabolic processes in the human body. Let’s take a look at some of the most common applications of acetone.

Uses of acetone

A common use of acetone is as a solvent, which is a substance that is capable of dissolving another substance. It is a popular solvent for many plastics and synthetic fibers. It is also used for thinning fiberglass resin, paint, vinyl, adhesives and varnishes. It can be used to dissolve epoxies and glue before and after it sets. It is also used to dissolve hazardous chemical spills, as a degreaser and as a cleaner. It is also used as a solvent/carrier in many pharmaceuticals.
Acetone is also used to produce many other important chemicals. Some of these include methyl methacrylate (MMA), bisphenol-A (BPA) and methacrylic acid. The uses of MMA and BPA includes the production of many plastics, acrylic products, sealants, lacquers and epoxy’s.
It also has a long history in the cosmetic industry. It is commonly used in nail polish remover and in chemical peels. It is also used by make-up artists to remove skin glue on wigs and fake mustaches.
Acetone also has very important applications in the laboratory. It is used as a solvent in many chemical experiments and as an equipment cleaner. It is also used for safely storing acetylene, which is unsafe in its pure form.
It is also used in rubber cement and some household cleaners.

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Uses of Sodium Bromide

Want to know it — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:51:23 +0000

Sodium bromide is a white, crystal-like, compound made of sodium and bromide (a charged bromine atom). It’s appearance closely resembles normal table salt. It is commonly used for the bromide that it contains, which means that this compound has a wide variety of uses.

Uses of Sodium Bromide
Sodium bromide once had many important uses in the medical industry. The bromide in this compound was used as a sedative, for headaches, as well as a anti seizure medication. Although this is no longer used in humans, because better drugs were developed, it is still a common anticonvulsant for dogs and cats. Potassium bromide is also used for this purpose.

Sodium bromide is also commonly used as a disinfectant for swimming pools and spas. It must be used carefully with chlorine because it makes the chlorine unstable and this causes a drop in the chlorine levels. It is widely marketed as a way to remove green algae blooms.

Sodium bromide also has an important application in the petroleum industry where it is used to prepare the dense fluids that are commonly used in oil wells.

It is also used in the preparation of other bromides. One of these is silver bromide, which was once widely used in photography. It is also used, together with concentrated sulfuric acid, to create pure bromide.

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Uses of Stearic Acid

Want to know it — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:34:29 +0000

Stearic acid is the most common saturated fatty acid found in many animal and animal fats and oils. It is extracted from these products by water at a high pressure and temperature, and the resulting mixture is then distilled. Stearic acid has many uses, especially in the cosmetics industry.

Uses of Stearic Acid

Stearic acid is most commonly used in the manufacture of soap, detergent, shampoo, shaving cream and other cosmetic products. In this situation it is mostly used to form a stable base, which helps to bind and thicken the products. It also has a high melting temperature, which means it won’t run when left on the body for extended periods of time.
It is also used to create lithium stearate, which is an important ingredient of grease. Other stearate salts are used to soften PVC and are also used as release agents. It is also used in the textile industry in the process of strengthen the yarn.
Stearic acid is also used as a lubricant in injection molding and during the ceramic forming process.
Stearic acid is also commonly used, together with sugar of corn syrup, as a hardener in candle-making. This not only strengthens the wax, but also increases the melting point of the candle to help it last longer.
It is also used in fireworks to coat the metal powders to prevent oxidation while the fireworks are in storage. This effectively increases the shelf life of the fireworks.
It is also used in many food products because it remains stable at high temperatures. It is commonly used in margarine and other spreads.

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