Thorium

Definition

Thorium is a chemical constituent with the symbol Th and atomic number 90. It is a naturally happening, slightly radioactive metal. Thorium is predictable to be about three to four times more plentiful than uranium in the earth's crust. Thorium was successfully used as an option nuclear fuel to uranium in the molten-salt reactor experiment (MSR) from 1964-1969 to produce thermal energy.

Application

  1. Thorium is use as an alloying constituent in magnesium, used in aircraft engines, imparting high power and creep resistance at elevated temperatures.
  2. Thorium is also used as an alloying mediator in gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) to boost the melting temperature of tungsten electrodes and get better arc stability. The electrodes labeled EWTH-1 contain 1% thorium, while the EWTH-2 contain 2%.