Chemical Applications
Lithium end-use can generally be divided into two broad market categories: technical application markets and chemical application markets.
The following chemical applications use various common lithium chemicals, including lithium carbonate, lithium bromide, lithium chloride, butyl lithium and lithium hydroxide:
Batteries
The two main lithium battery types are:
- Primary (non-rechargeable): including coin or cylindrical batteries used in calculators and digital cameras. The lithium battery has a higher energy density compared to alkaline batteries as well as a low weight and long shelf and operating life.
- Secondary (rechargeable): the main applications are powering cell phones, laptops and other hand held electronic equipment. As with the primary battery, the lithium secondary battery has a higher energy density and lighter weight compared to NiCd and NiMH batteries.
Lubricants
Lithium is used as a thickener in grease ensuring lubrication properties are maintained over a broad range of temperatures.
Aluminum Smelting
The addition of lithium during aluminum smelting reduces the bath temperature which reduces power consumption, increases the bath electrical conductivity and reduces fluorine emissions.
Air Treatment
A number of lithium-based chemicals are used in air treatment. This includes lithium bromide as an absorption medium for industrial refrigeration systems and lithium chloride for humidity control and drying systems.
Pharmaceuticals
Lithium is used in the treatment for bi-polar disorder as well as in other pharmaceutical products.
Other Chemical Applications
Lithium chemical compounds are also used in a range of other applications including:
- butyl lithium as a catalyst for polymerisation of synthetic rubbers
- aluminum-lithium alloys
- lithium niobate and tantalate in electronics
- concrete additive
- water treatment
- specialty inorganics
