7440-74-6

CAS Nr.:

7440-74-6

Indium

EINECS Name:

Indium

231-180-0

EINECS Nr.:

231-180-0

Indium

Synonym:

Indium

Indium – A Strategic Raw Material for Modern High-Tech Applications. Indium is a rare metal and plays an important role in numerous high-tech industries. Due to its unique physical and chemical properties, indium is primarily used in the electronics, semiconductor, and display industries. With the increasing demand for modern technologies such as flat-panel displays, touchscreens, photovoltaic modules, and high-performance semiconductors, this raw material continues to gain importance.

Physical Properties of Indium

Indium is a silvery, shiny and very soft metal that can be easily deformed and exhibits excellent ductility. It has a molar mass of 114.82 g/mol, a density of approximately 7.31 g/cm³, and a relatively low melting point of around 156.6 °C. This low melting temperature enables easy processing and makes indium particularly interesting for applications in electronics and metallurgy. In addition, indium has good electrical conductivity and high corrosion resistance. When exposed to air, the metal forms a thin oxide layer that further protects it from additional oxidation.

Examples of Applications of Indium

Indium is commonly used in the production of semiconductor materials such as indium phosphide (InP) and indium antimonide (InSb). These materials are essential for high-frequency components, sensors, and high-performance microelectronics. They are used in telecommunications systems, radar technologies, and modern optoelectronic devices.

One of the most important applications of indium is the production of indium tin oxide (ITO). This transparent, electrically conductive material is used in LCD, OLED, and touchscreen displays. ITO enables precise control of screens and is a key component in modern smartphones, tablets, televisions, and computer monitors.

In the solar industry, indium is used in the production of CIGS solar cells (copper-indium-gallium-diselenide). These thin-film solar cells are characterized by high energy efficiency and good performance even under low sunlight conditions. As a result, they contribute to the development of modern and sustainable energy technologies.

Indium is also used in specialty alloys and solder materials. Due to its high ductility and excellent wetting properties, it is particularly suitable for precise soldering connections in the electronics industry, especially for sensitive components and microelectronics.

Indium (CAS No. 7440-74-6) is a strategically important raw material for numerous modern technologies. Its unique physical properties make it an indispensable material in the electronics, display, photovoltaic, and semiconductor industries. With the growing demand for digital technologies and renewable energy solutions, the importance of indium will continue to increase in the future.