Scandium is a relatively rare element, and it is found in small amounts in a number of minerals, including euxenite, gadolinite, and thortveitite. It is also found in some meteorites. Scandium is extracted from these minerals using a variety of methods, including solvent extraction, ion exchange, and electrolysis.
Scandium is used in a number of applications, including:
* As a strengthening agent in aluminium alloys
* As a component of high-intensity lighting
* As a catalyst in chemical reactions
* As a dopant in semiconductors
Scandium is a valuable metal with a number of important properties. It is a good conductor of heat and electricity, and it is also highly resistant to corrosion. These properties make it a useful material for a variety of applications.