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Scandium is often called the “spice” of the metal world, as just the tiniest amount makes a massive difference. When added to aluminium, it creates an alloy that is significantly stronger, more weldable, and more heat-resistant than aluminium alone. It is the secret ingredient behind next-generation fighter jets, professional sports equipment and the future of clean energy.
As a leading UK manufacturer of high-purity rare earths, Less Common Metals (LCM) is at the forefront of this niche but vital market. Based in Ellesmere Port, UK, we provide high-grade Scandium Metal and Granules necessary to produce the advanced alloys driving the aerospace and energy sectors.
| Composition | Scandium Metal 99.9% & 99.99% / Scandium Granules 99.9% |
| Common metallic impurities | Trace metals basis |
| Physical Description | Silver-grey sublimed lump/ Silver-grey granules minimum 0.2mm to maximum 5.0mm |
| Analytics | ICP-OES |
| Certificate of analysis | N/A |
| Packaging | Packed in sealed polythene bags and supplied in securely sealed metal drums, resistant to the impregnation of water |
Scandium is a soft, silvery-white metal that develops a slightly yellowish or pinkish cast when oxidised by air. Although it is chemically similar to the rare earths (and often classified as one), it’s physically lighter, with a density comparable to Aluminium.
Scandium’s true power is unlocked when it is alloyed or used in advanced ceramics. Its major applications include:
For decades, Scandium was a Cold War secret, used almost exclusively in Soviet military aircraft. Applications for Scandium were not developed until the 1970s, when the positive effects of Scandium on Aluminium alloys were discovered, and its use in such alloys remains its only major application. Today, it is a global commodity, but supply remains tight. Long story short, it’s rarely found in concentrated deposits and is usually produced as a byproduct of uranium or rare earth mining.
As the demand for Aluminium Scandium grows in the electric vehicle (EV) market (specifically for lightweight chassis components), securing a reliable, high-purity supply from a trusted Western partner like LCM is becoming a strategic priority for manufacturers.
