Element 21 · Transition Metal
Scandium
A rare transition metal used in aerospace aluminium alloys — but available only in tiny industrial quantities.
Element Facts
SYMBOL
Sc
ATOMIC NO.
21
ATOMIC WEIGHT
44.96
CATEGORY
Transition Metal
PERIOD
Period 4
GROUP
Group 3
The Basics
Scandium is element 21, a silvery-white transition metal first identified by Swedish chemist Lars Fredrik Nilson in 1879 (its existence was predicted by Mendeleev a decade earlier). Despite being more abundant than lead, scandium is so dispersed in the crust that no concentrated ores exist — it is recovered as a byproduct of uranium and tungsten mining.
Background
Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter aircraft used scandium-aluminium alloy in airframe components. Scandium iodide lamps for stadium lighting (the bluish-white "metal halide" lights common at sports venues).
Industrial Uses
Scandium-aluminium alloys (Sc-Al) for aerospace and high-end sporting equipment (premium tennis racquets, golf clubs, mountain bike frames). Solid oxide fuel cells use scandia-stabilised zirconia. Aerospace 3D-printing alloys.
Scrap Viability
Why QuickStop Metals doesn’t buy Scandium:
Scandium is produced and consumed in such small global quantities (only ~20 tonnes per year worldwide) that no consumer scrap market exists. Recycling occurs only at specialist aerospace processors. Scandium-aluminium alloy items presented as scrap would be processed as standard aluminium, losing the scandium value entirely — recovering scandium requires specialist processing not available in general scrap operations.
What It's Worth
Scandium oxide prices are around $1,000–1,500/kg, but the metal is rarely traded openly.