TELF AG analyzes the main industrial applications of phosphorus
A valid ally of the industry
China and the European Union have included it in their respective lists of materials considered “critical” for their economic development, also due to its numerous industrial applications in different fields and of great strategic importance. We are referring to phosphorus, a particular element found in nature in the form of phosphates, particularly abundant in some mineral masses.
The history of this element is already quite long: discovered for the first time in 1669, when a German chemist isolated it, over the years, this particular element has found a way to establish itself on the international scene as one of the most valid allies of industry, precisely because of its multiple application possibilities which make it very valuable for a large number of sectors.
Most phosphate reserves containing phosphorus are found on the African continent, particularly in the territorial belt that includes Morocco and Western Sahara, but also in the United States and the Middle East. One of the most interesting application areas for this precious resource is metallurgy, where phosphorus is commonly used to strengthen the mechanical properties of alloys and metals. Specifically, phosphorus is used in this sector for a particular purpose: to obtain materials with some very specific characteristics that are perfectly adaptable to the industry’s particular needs.
The usefulness of phosphorus in the steel sector
In the steel sector, using phosphorus is of great importance for improving the material’s structural characteristics. Among these, we certainly remember hardness and resistance, which can be increased even by adding small quantities of phosphorus (almost always higher than 0.12%). For industrial applications requiring high mechanical resistance, using steels strengthened with phosphorus is of considerable importance. In some cases, this element can contribute to improving the overall workability of the steel, facilitating some transformative operations such as turning or milling. The presence of phosphorus inside the steel can also enhance this material’s resistance to corrosion, an interesting characteristic for some marine or chemical applications.
One of this material’s most interesting aspects is its possible use in improving specific alloys made with important raw materials, such as copper or nickel, which can improve some of te main characteristics. Regarding copper alloys, phosphorus can improve their hardness, strength, and durability, making their subsequent use possible in many industrial applications. On the other hand, in nickel alloys, phosphorus can contribute to improving corrosion resistance, transforming them into valid allies for numerous sectors. Furthermore, alloys made with a combination of nickel and phosphorus have had the opportunity to establish themselves in the electronics field, mainly due to their good conductivity levels and evident resistance to oxidation. In addition to its applications in metallurgy (including adding phosphorus to stainless steels to enhance their mechanical properties), phosphorus also finds concrete uses in the fertilizer, chemical, and food industries.
