Unusual precious metals

Rod

• Sponge and rhodium powder
• Rod in various organic and inorganic compounds

Areas of application

The main application of rhodium is in the construction of exhaust filters. This precious metal is used in automotive exhaust catalysts to chemically convert harmful nitrogen oxides into water, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen. It is also used in catalytic reactions in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. In addition, rhodium is still used in jewelry, eyeglass frames, and watch coatings. It is an essential component of platinum alloys used for high-temperature resistant components in the glass industry.

Ruthenium

• Sponge and ruthenium powder
• Ruthenium in various inorganic compounds

Areas of application

The electronics industry requires ruthenium for coating hard drives, as it increases storage capacity. In addition, this valuable metal is indispensable as a catalyst in chemical processes such as ammonia synthesis and, together with iridium, in the production of chlorine. Fuel cell technology is considered an area of future application. For this purpose, ruthenium serves as a catalyst alongside platinum for the production of hydrogen through electrolysis. 

Osm

• Osmium powder
• Osmium compounds

Areas of application

There are only a few industrial applications for osmium, including the medical sector. Usually in powder form, osmium is added to alloys for heart valves and implants. It is also used in the manufacture of abrasive products such as fountain pens and scanning needles, as well as in the manufacture of instruments. The jewelry industry also processes osmium, but in crystalline form. 

Iridium

• Sponge and iridium powder
• Iridium in various inorganic compounds
• Iridium alloys and semi-finished products

Areas of application

Iridium alloys are used for precision measurements in medicine and mechanical engineering. The chemical industry needs this valuable metal to coat anodes in chlor-alkali electrolysis for the production of PVC materials.

Iridium appears as a raw material in many future technologies. In addition to organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), it is worth mentioning electrolysis for the production of green hydrogen. Together with platinum, iridium catalyzes the electrolysis of polymer electrolyte membranes (PEM).