Abstract

Tellurium is the most metallic of the abundant chalcogens. In many of its chemical properties it still resembles oxygen, sulfur, and selenium.

Tellurium is produced as a by-product at copper refineries throughout the world. The main uses for tellurium are as a free-machining additive in both ferrous and nonferrous metallurgy (60%) in chemicals (25%), and in electrical applications such as solar cells and thermoelectrics (8%), and miscellaneous (7%). Applications of tellurium are frequently limited by the small quantities available. Tellurium and tellurium compounds generally have a low environmental impact.