# Scandium

A rare-earth metal that strengthens aluminium alloys and stabilises solid-oxide fuel cells, produced only as a by-product in tiny volumes.

Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/scandium/

Tech & minor metals · No. 48

- EU critical 2023
- US critical 2025
 Tech & minor metals · Foundation · Matter

The world makes only about 80 t of scandium oxide a year, yet a few tenths of a percent transforms aluminium.

Chart: Illustration: Scandium

##### Where it comes from

Chart: Map of where it comes from

No mine produces scandium as its main product. It is recovered from nickel and titanium process streams and old tailings, then calcined to oxide; about 80 t was made in 2025.

##### Three things to know

1. A few tenths of a percent scandium forms fine Al3Sc particles in aluminium, raising strength and letting it be welded without cracking.
2. In zirconia, scandia gives the highest oxygen-ion conductivity, which is why solid oxide fuel cells use it.
3. Australia reports about 34,000 t of scandium in accessible resources, of which 12,000 t meet JORC reserve standards.

##### The journey

1. 1 **Process streams**Nickel, titanium or uranium residues, tailings
2. 2 **Leaching**Solvent extraction pulls out scandium
3. 3 **Oxalate**Precipitated as scandium oxalate
4. 4 **Oxide**Calcined to 99.99% scandium oxide
5. 5 **Alloy or metal**Al-Sc master alloy with 2% Sc
6. 6 **End uses**Aerospace alloys and fuel-cell electrolytes

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## Other sections

- [Overview](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/scandium/overview/index.md)
- [Correlation](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/scandium/correlation/index.md)
- [Extraction](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/scandium/extraction/index.md)
- [Production](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/scandium/production/index.md)
- [Stocks](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/scandium/stocks/index.md)
- [Cycles](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/scandium/cycles/index.md)
- [Trading](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/scandium/trading/index.md)
- [Movement](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/scandium/movement/index.md)
- [Criticality](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/scandium/criticality/index.md)
- [Characteristics](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/scandium/characteristics/index.md)
- [Emissions](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/scandium/emissions/index.md)
- [Relationships](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/scandium/links/index.md)