In-49 name is derived from the indigo-blue color of its spectrum. Indium was discovered in 1863 in sphalerite, a sulfide ore of zinc, by Reich and Richter in Germany, but was not used commercially until 71 years later. Recovered almost exclusively as a byproduct of zinc, indium is softer than lead and can be refined to purities of up to 99.9999 percent.
While the first major commercial application for the metal was for dental alloys, today indium is used chiefly for thin-film coatings in electro-luminescent lamps and liquid-crystal displays. Solders and alloys are also important applications. Indium semiconductor compounds are also used in photovoltaic devices, infrared detectors, high-speed transistors and certain other applications.
The total market for indium has experienced annual growth averaging over 10% for the past 56 years and is expected to grow at a similar rate for the foreseeable future. Indium is a critical raw material for a number of developing information technology markets, although the most important is that for flat panel displays. These ITO films are central to a number of display technologies, notably liquid crystal displays and plasma displays. The markets for these flat panel displays are booming, particularly for computer monitors and televisions. High rates of growth in this industry will generate increased demand for indium and the consumption in this market is expected to grow at a rate of over 12% a year. At forecast rates of growth, indium demand in ITO coatings will account for 745tpy by 2008,approximately 85% of total demand. The forecast growth in indium demand will be largely met by an increase in recycling, initially in Japan and later in the rest of the world. The rate of recycling will rise from its current level of just over 40% to approximately 60% by 2008. Increased production of secondary indium will meet much of the projected increase in demand over the years to 2008. Consumption of primary indium is expected to grow at around 4%pa, whereas the growth in consumption of secondary material will increase by almost 19%pa.
Indium has many use, some of the more common ones are: Alloying with Tin for use in screen technology,Batteries, Semi-conductor components, and Solders.Uses:For special solder,painting,making alloy, high-purity indium and ellctronics industry application
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