General Description
A black lustrous powder or cohesive lump with a sharp irritating odor. An alloy of lithium and silicon.
Air & Water Reactions
Reacts with water or moisture in air to form lithium hydroxide and hydrogen, a flammable gas. The heat of the reaction may ignite the hydrogen [AAR 1991].
Reactivity Profile
Lithium silicon is a reducing agent. Reacts with oxidizing agents. Reacts, usually vigorously, with any substance having active hydrogen atoms to liberate gaseous hydrogen. This includes alcohols, acids, and water. Reacts with sulfides,aldehydes, and cyanides. Corrodes rapidly on contact with the air. As a practical matter, most organic compounds, including ethers, are wet enough (carry enough water as an impurity) to cause heating and liberation of gases.
Health Hazard
Inhalation or contact with vapors, substance or decomposition products may cause severe injury or death. May produce corrosive solutions on contact with water. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control may cause pollution.
Fire Hazard
Produce flammable gases on contact with water. May ignite on contact with water or moist air. Some react vigorously or explosively on contact with water. May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames. May re-ignite after fire is extinguished. Some are transported in highly flammable liquids. Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard.
Uses
Lithium-silicon alloy powder is mainly used as the negative electrode material for thermal batteries that power the launch of missiles, rockets, and artillery shells. Thermal batteries using lithium-silicon alloy as the negative electrode material have advantages over calcium-based and magnesium-based thermal battery systems, such as high power discharge, high specific energy, rapid activation, long storage period, and compact structure.
