Snip " In a nutshell, researchers claim that scandium provides the highest increment of tensile strength per atomic percent than any other alloying element when added to aluminium.
However, there is no known big commercial use of scandium, and the global yearly demand for the metal is relatively very small, around 20 tonnes. The reason for this is usually found in scandium’s low concentration and its difficulty in separating it from the ore, pushing costs to elevated levels (according to recent figures, around US$7000 /kg of concentrate), thereby hampering its commercial use."
There is a large deposit of Scandium in the US in Elk Creek Nebraska and a US Company is attempting to mine it if they can get the support. They already have the permits needed. They do not really want any $ from the USgovt. (NioCorp / Elk Creek Development)
Smith & Wesson made a number of lightweight revolvers using scandium.