All about platinum metals

Almost everyone knows about the existence of precious metals. These include silver, gold and platinum. At the same time, not everyone knows about the existence of the platinum group. Its representatives are also referred to as noble ones.

Platinum metals Is a group of 6 elements that are located next to each other on the periodic chemical table. Each of their elements in the group is rightfully considered noble. This is due to the following chemical and physical properties.

1. Experts note the low concentration of platinum metals. The number of deposits is small. This characteristic also applies to chemical elements that are traditionally considered rare and expensive.
2. Representatives of the above group have the properties of the following metals: rhodium, osmium, palladium, ruthenium.
3. In the process of studying platinoids, there was an excellent similarity in atomic structure with the elements indicated above.

The division is made by weight.

• Group # 1... These are the lightest representatives. These include palladium, ruthenium and rhodium.
• Group number 2. The remaining 6 metals are iridium, osmium and platinum itself. These are already heavy metals.

The metals of the above group have their own designations. The list is as follows.

• Ruthenium - Ru.
• Rhodium - Rh.
• Palladium - Pd.
• Osmium - Os.
• Iridium - Ir.
• Platinum - Pt.

From the lowest value to the highest. All platinum metals have similar characteristics.

1. The first similarity is in appearance.Almost all elements, except for osmium, have a light shade (a combination of white and silver). Osmium has a light bluish tone.
2. Metals are highly resistant to a variety of reagents. Moreover, platinoids are effective catalysts.
3. With their help, various chemical processes are controlled, the rate of oxidation is controlled, and other reactions are monitored. This behavior of metals is considered surprising and paradoxical.

No oxidation forms on the surface. Thus, inertia is clearly demonstrated. According to experts, it is especially noticeable in platinum. When studying representatives of the platinum group, it was impossible to ignore the melting point. The lowest value for palladium is 1554 degrees. Osmium has the highest value. Its temperature is 3 thousand 27 degrees Celsius.

The following is the same property - infusibility. This characteristic speaks of excellent wear resistance. Despite the external similarity, the physical qualities are different. Depending on these indicators, special techniques are used during processing. Ruthenium and osmium are very fragile metals and require special care.

Deposits of platinum metals are usually scattered throughout Canada and South Africa. In these regions, minerals are obtained using the standard mine method. As practice shows, most platinoids are mined by extracting elements from nickel sulfide minerals or copper ores. The work uses flotation separation. In the process of metal processing, the resulting concentrate is melted, as a result of which a special mixture is obtained. The volume of platinum metals is from 15 to 20% of the dry residue.

In some cases, the mining and processing process may differ. Gravity separation is sometimes used in factories. In this case, the amount of required chemical elements increases to 50%. This processing option excludes smelting. While rich PGM deposits are rare, some deposits are also found in Canada, China, Australia and Finland.

Platinoids have found their application in various fields. The universal properties of metals of this group are actively used today. Pure platinum itself is very soft and pliable. In this state, she is very susceptible to various damage and defects. Various elements are used to increase the hardness and wear resistance of the precious metal. Platinum is alloyed with other chemical elements.

Platinum jewelry is highly prized and more expensive than gold. They gained particular popularity in Japan. Residents of the Land of the Rising Sun call such products "hakkin". The main jewelry alloy is platinum and makes up 90% of the total mass. The remaining 10% is palladium. It is easy to work with, including soldering and other processing.

Also to increase the hardness, the precious white metal is combined with ruthenium. The addition of this element increases the resistance to the oxidation process. PGMs have found their application in the manufacture of forged products. In this case, an alloy consisting of copper, platinum and palladium is used. This option is more affordable in comparison with the composition of two elements: platinum and palladium.

Special alloys made using platinoids are widely used in the manufacture of thermocouples. It is a special device with a wide range of applications. Its main purpose is to change high temperatures (the maximum value is up to 1800 degrees Celsius above zero).Some representatives are used in their pure form. As a rule, they act as additives to the rest of the platinum group metals. Palladium has found its way into the electrical equipment industry as well as modern dental alloys.

More than 40% of all platinum produced, which is produced abroad, is used as a catalyst. This amazing and useful property was indicated in the first part of the article. Almost all of the metal (about 90%) has found its application in the production of exhaust systems for cars. The precious material, along with rhodium and palladium, acts as a protective coating for honeycomb structures and other elements. The metal layer protects against oxidation processes, keeping the equipment safe and sound. Entering into a chemical reaction, aggressive components are converted into harmless compounds and substances.

Chemical elements can perform the task of an effective catalyst not only as a coating, but also in the form of an incandescent metal mesh. In this case, a reaction occurs between air and a poisonous substance - ammonia. The result is nitric acid and nitric oxide. Various components are added to obtain other substances.

Other uses for metals are as follows.

1. On the territory of Russia, palladium is used to produce investment coins. They began to do this after the pure palladium coin was issued during the Soviet era. The face value is 25 rubles.
2. High-voltage equipment is also not complete without the use of PGMs. In the manufacture of electronics of this type, wear-resistant and reliable contacts are needed that will be resistant to negative influences from the outside. Despite the development of new technologies, there is currently no working alternative to platinoids.
3. In the process of making tools and devices for working in difficult conditions such metals are also actively used. To work in a hostile environment, equipment must be strong, wear-resistant and durable. It is these characteristics that it receives from platinum metals.
4. To significantly improve the corrosion resistance of titanium, a little palladium is added to it. Also, this platinum group element is often mixed with steel.
5. In medecine active connections are also actively used. This practice was applied earlier and remains relevant today.
6. Don't forget about the platinum foil. This material is used to protect the device of chemical reactors.
7. Alloy of silver and palladium is actively used in low-current electronics.

For more information on how this precious metal is used, see the next video.