Substitutes

Substitutes and Alternatives for Gallium

The availability of viable substitutes is a key factor in assessing the criticality of any mineral. For Gallium, the substitution landscape varies significantly across its major applications, with some uses offering reasonable alternatives while others face limited or no substitution options.

Substitution by Application

• Semiconductors (GaAs, GaN) — Potential substitutes exist with varying degrees of performance trade-offs. Alternative materials may offer lower cost or improved availability but typically involve compromises in efficiency, durability, or other performance characteristics that have established Gallium as the preferred material.
• 5G telecommunications — Potential substitutes exist with varying degrees of performance trade-offs. Alternative materials may offer lower cost or improved availability but typically involve compromises in efficiency, durability, or other performance characteristics that have established Gallium as the preferred material.
• LED and laser diodes — Potential substitutes exist with varying degrees of performance trade-offs. Alternative materials may offer lower cost or improved availability but typically involve compromises in efficiency, durability, or other performance characteristics that have established Gallium as the preferred material.
• Solar cells — Potential substitutes exist with varying degrees of performance trade-offs. Alternative materials may offer lower cost or improved availability but typically involve compromises in efficiency, durability, or other performance characteristics that have established Gallium as the preferred material.
• Defense radar systems — Potential substitutes exist with varying degrees of performance trade-offs. Alternative materials may offer lower cost or improved availability but typically involve compromises in efficiency, durability, or other performance characteristics that have established Gallium as the preferred material.

Performance Trade-offs

In most applications, substituting Gallium with alternative materials involves measurable performance penalties. These may include reduced efficiency, shorter product lifespans, higher weight, or increased manufacturing complexity. In high-performance applications such as semiconductors (gaas, gan), these trade-offs can be particularly significant, limiting the practical viability of substitution even when alternatives are technically available.

Research and Development

Active research programs are underway to develop improved substitutes for Gallium in its most critical applications. These efforts include material science research into alternative compounds, engineering approaches to reduce the quantity of Gallium required per unit of product (thrifting), and entirely new technology platforms that avoid the need for Gallium altogether. However, timelines for commercializing new alternatives typically span years to decades.

Strategic Implications

The limited substitutability of Gallium in key applications is a primary driver of its high criticality rating. Governments and industries are investing in substitution research as part of broader strategies to reduce critical mineral dependencies.