Thorium

About Thorium

Thorium is a chemical element with the symbol Th and an atomic number of 90. Thorium steel exhibits a silvery appearance and, upon air exposure, forms thorium dioxide which is black in colour. It is soft and malleable and has a high melting point. Thorium is an electropositive actinide whose chemistry is dominated by the +4 oxidation state. It is reactive and may ignite in air when finely dispersed.

Thorium is weakly radioactive, given that all its known isotopes are unstable. The most stable isotope, 232Th, has a half-life of 14.05 billion years. It decays slowly by alpha emission and initiates a decay chain known as the thorium series. The decay chain concludes with stable 208Pb. Thorium is one of two radioactive elements found as primordial material. Its occurrence in the Earth’s crust is estimated to be three to four times that of uranium.

Thorium Key Features:

Rich Resource: Thorium is more abundant in the Earth’s crust than uranium. It serves as a long-term energy resource.

Fuel for Nuclear Reactors: Thorium may be used as fuel in nuclear reactors. Its use is associated with a reduction in nuclear waste volume and enhanced safety characteristics.

Reduced Proliferation Risk: Thorium-based fuels exhibit a lower risk of proliferation compared with uranium-based fuels.

Radiological Properties: The radioactivity of thorium enables its use in radiometric dating, geological studies and scientific research.

Potential for Molten Salt Reactors: Thorium is a candidate for molten salt reactor designs. Such designs may achieve higher fuel utilisation and comply with safety standards.

Thorium Applications:

Nuclear Energy: Thorium is an alternative nuclear fuel. Its use may lead to a reduction in nuclear waste production.

Radiometric Dating: Thorium is employed in radiometric dating methods to determine the ages of rocks and geological formations.

Medical Applications: Thorium compounds are used in certain medical procedures such as radiotherapy and X‑ray imaging.

Scientific Research: Thorium is utilised in studies of nuclear reactions, fundamental particle interactions and atomic properties.

Space Exploration: Given its high energy density and long operational lifespan, thorium has been proposed as a fuel for space missions.

Quality Assurance:

Our thorium products are sourced from recognised suppliers known for their adherence to quality and standard protocols. Each product undergoes testing to ensure compliance with safety and industry standards.