Technetium (Tc)
Alkali Metals | Atomic Number: 43
Basic Properties
Tc
43
98 g/mol
| Element Category | Alkali Metals |
|---|---|
| Atomic Number | 43 |
| Atomic Weight | 98 g/mol |
| Crystal Structure | Hexagonal close-packed (HCP) |
Description
Technetium is the lightest element with no stable isotopes, artificially produced.
| Density | 11.5 g/cm³ |
|---|
| Tensile Strength | 800-1200 MPa |
|---|---|
| Hardness | 6.5 Mohs |
| Melting Point | 2157°C |
|---|---|
| Boiling Point | 4265°C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 50.6 W/(m·K) |
| Electrical Conductivity | 6.7 × 10^6 S/m |
|---|
| Corrosion Resistance | Good - forms protective oxide layer, but radioactive |
|---|
Applications
Medical imaging, nuclear medicine, corrosion inhibitor, superconductor research
Production Methods
Nuclear reactor byproduct, particle accelerator production
History
Discovered by Emilio Segrè and Carlo Perrier in 1937 in molybdenum samples.