(Chemical symbol: Te). A silver-gray, metallic element of the sulphur group. It is a poor conductor of heat and electricity. Tellurium forms well-defined compounds, known as tellurides, with other elements. It is used as an alloy in steel, lead, and ceramics, and is used in thermoelectric devices. It is used to some extent in the covering of welding cables to make them more resistant to abrasion. Atomic weight, 147.6; melting point, 461°C (862°F); specific gravity, 6.25.
