{"id":14160,"date":"2025-02-12T13:31:30","date_gmt":"2025-02-12T19:31:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.misumiusa.com\/?page_id=14160"},"modified":"2025-02-14T11:05:59","modified_gmt":"2025-02-14T17:05:59","slug":"what-are-metalloids","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/us.misumi-ec.com\/blog\/what-are-metalloids\/","title":{"rendered":"Metalloids in Manufacturing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Author: Scott Bredemann<\/a> | Updated: 02\/12\/2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Metals like steel<\/a> and aluminum<\/a> get most of the attention in manufacturing, but metalloids aka “semimetals”\u2014a small group of elements that sit between metals and non-metals on the periodic table\u2014play just as critical a role. These elements, including silicon, boron, arsenic, antimony, tellurium, and germanium, have a unique mix of metallic and non-metallic properties, making them indispensable in electronics, aerospace, glassmaking, and high-performance alloys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Metalloids are known for their semi-conductive nature, heat resistance, and structural reinforcement capabilities. Without them, we wouldn\u2019t have microchips, fiber optic networks, solar panels, or even heat-resistant glass used in laboratories and cookware. They help strengthen metals, improve the efficiency of electrical components, and even enhance flame retardant materials used in industrial safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Periodic Table Highlighting Metalloids<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Properties and Uses<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Element (Symbol, Atomic #)<\/strong><\/td>Properties<\/strong><\/td>Uses in Manufacturing<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Boron (B, 5)<\/td>Hard, brittle, high melting point, good neutron absorber<\/td>Used in borosilicate glass, aerospace alloys, and as a semiconductor dopant<\/td><\/tr>
Silicon (Si, 14)<\/td>Semiconductor, high thermal stability, abundant in Earth’s crust<\/td>Essential in semiconductors, solar panels, and microelectronics<\/td><\/tr>
Germanium (Ge, 32)<\/td>Semiconductor, brittle, good infrared transmission<\/td>Used in fiber optics, infrared optics, and semiconductor applications<\/td><\/tr>
Arsenic (As, 33)<\/td>Toxic, brittle, semiconductor, used in alloys<\/td>Used in gallium arsenide semiconductors, lead alloys, and pesticides<\/td><\/tr>
Antimony (Sb, 51)<\/td>Brittle, increases hardness in alloys, low thermal conductivity<\/td>Used in flame retardants, lead-acid batteries, and hardening alloys<\/td><\/tr>
Tellurium (Te, 52)<\/td>Brittle, improves machinability, enhances thermoelectric properties<\/td>Enhances steel machinability, used in thermoelectric devices and solar panels<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Physical Properties and Thresholds<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Metalloid (Symbol, Atomic #)<\/td>Tensile Strength (MPa)<\/td>Thermal Conductivity (W\/m\u00b7K)<\/td>Electrical Conductivity (S\/m)<\/td><\/tr>
Boron (B, 5)<\/td>~500 MPa (varies by form)<\/td>27 W\/m\u00b7K<\/td>~10\u207b\u2076 S\/m (poor conductor)<\/td><\/tr>
Silicon (Si, 14)<\/td>~170 MPa<\/td>149 W\/m\u00b7K<\/td>~10\u207b\u00b3 S\/m (semiconductor)<\/td><\/tr>
Germanium (Ge, 32)<\/td>~100 MPa<\/td>60 W\/m\u00b7K<\/td>~2.17 S\/m (semiconductor)<\/td><\/tr>
Arsenic (As, 33)<\/td>Brittle, low tensile strength<\/td>50 W\/m\u00b7K<\/td>~3.3 \u00d7 10\u2075 S\/m<\/td><\/tr>
Antimony (Sb, 51)<\/td>Brittle, low tensile strength<\/td>24 W\/m\u00b7K<\/td>~2.5 \u00d7 10\u2075 S\/m<\/td><\/tr>
Tellurium (Te, 52)<\/td>Brittle, low tensile strength<\/td>1.97 W\/m\u00b7K<\/td>~1 \u00d7 10\u2074 S\/m<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Metalloids vs. Metals, and Non-Metals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

How do they stack up versus each other – here\u2019s how they compare:<\/p>\n\n\n\n