Lithium - 3Li: uses
The following uses for lithium are gathered from a number of sources as well as from anecdotal comments. I would be delighted to receive corrections as well as additional referenced uses.
Both lithium metal and its compounds have many uses.
- lithium stearate is mixed with oils to make all-purpose and high-temperature lubricants
- lithium hydroxide is used to absorb carbon dioxide in space vehicles
- lithium is alloyed with aluminium, copper, manganese, and cadmium to make high perfomance alloys for aircraft
- Bahnmetall consists of lead containing 0.04% lithium, 0.7% calcium and 0.6% sodium is harder than pure lead and was used for railroad car bearings in Germany.
- compounds such as LiAlH4 and organolithium reagents (LiMe, LiPh, etc.) are very important as reagents in organic chemistry
- lithium metal has the highest specific heat of any solid element and so heat transfer applications
- various nuclear applications
- lithium is sometimes used as battery anode material (high electrochemical potential) and lithium compounds are used in dry cells and storage batteries
- lithium is used in the manufacture of special high strength glasses and ceramics
- sometimes, lithium-based compounds such as lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) are used as drugs to treat manic-depressive disorders.