Antimony, denoted by the symbol Sb (from the Latin Stibium) in the periodic table, in its own form does not represent any special value – it is a brittle semi-metal. Its main property is to strengthen metals, the same lead. Additionally, there is an amorphous modification of this element known as “explosive mercury”, an explosive that detonates upon impact or ignition.
Powdered antimony, known as a cosmetic product for darkening eyebrows since ancient times, is now actively used for military purposes. It is used in almost all explosive liners used in firearm cartridges, bomb fuses, and cannonballs.
“Antimone itself is a fairly harmless chemical element that is obviously extracted where it occurs,” chemical engineer Natalya Bagnyuk told socialbites.ca. – There are similar ones in different parts of our planet, most of them in China. In Russia, antimony is mostly mined in Yakutia, this mineral has deposits in Tajikistan, Australia, South Africa and Bolivia. It is possible that it has a location elsewhere, including by the sea. There are antimony elements in the human body, but in very small quantities.
Bagniuk added that antimony as an “explosive mixture” is produced electrolytically when it is converted to a metallic state at very high temperatures and is used in the production of ammunition in this form. “It’s not an explosive, it’s just a way to detonate it,” Bagnyuk said.
The United States does not have its own production of antimony, and earlier the Americans bought it in China and Russia. Now, given the political complications in Washington’s relations with Beijing and Moscow, the issue of antimony supplies from alternative sources has been raised in Congress. American congressmen, having received reports from the Pentagon, concluded that it was necessary to seek new suppliers. According to the report, the reserves are only guaranteed to last until 2025.
“The consumption of antimony in the manufacture of a cartridge is such that it does not exceed a percentage of its cost, which is simply insignificant. But millions of cartridges and warheads are produced. The United States was alarmed by the possibility that such supplies would remain unencapsulated if Russia and especially China stopped them. It’s funny, but apparently the United States is at risk of being without bullets and cartridges due to such an insignificant substance as antimony, better known as a make-up agent, ”military expert Alexander Zimovsky told socialbites.ca.
Sergei Belousov, a member of the College of Military Experts, made an analogy between the supply of antimony and titanium.
“Here we can recall that literally at the end of May, the American company Boeing was forced to temporarily suspend the production of the 737 MAX aircraft, according to the official version, “due to problems in the supply chain of components.” It meant parts made of Russian titanium used in the manufacture of Boeings. Now the problem arose with antimony. Stocks will take two or three years to manufacture cartridges and ammunition. It is not entirely clear what will happen next. In addition, the USA actively supplies ammunition to Ukraine. Stocks are running low,” Belousov explained.
Chemist Natalya Bagnyuk noted that it is not yet possible to synthesize antimony. “Despite numerous tests, even on an orbiting space station, artificially producing antimony didn’t work,” said Bagniuk.
Belousov believes it is “still very, very early” to talk about a critical situation for the US military-industrial complex.
“The Pentagon, of course, will fix the antimony problem. But at any cost?
Australia, for example, will agree to give as much as they want, but progress there is minimal at the moment. The development of new deposits will require funds, and Americans will have to pay for it. In the long run, it may be good for them to have their own resources. In the short and medium term, taking into account the investments in development, they will buy raw materials at a much higher price than what China and Russia sell antimony.
Given the scale and needs of US military production, it’s hard to quantify and imagine the economic repercussions if both China and Russia stop supply. But they will certainly be huge,” Belousov summed up.