Alloys & industrial crucibles

The high temperature stability, melting points and corrosion resistance of platinum, rhodium, and iridium and their alloys allow for higher temperatures to be achieved in industrial crucibles, which are used in virtually every industrial process.

The "nobility" of PGMs is also crucial. High purity conditions are required for these processes and the PGMs, with their high temperature stability, do not contaminate the products being fabricated.

PGMs can have a quite remarkable effect on other metals. For example, titanium's corrosion resistance is boosted a hundred times by the addition of just 0.1% of ruthenium. This gives titanium an even more effective and durable role in aerospace and marine applications where resistance to extremes of temperature and salt water is crucial.

Applications for alloys between the PGMs include fuel cells, industrial crucibles and tools, and jewellery. Products produced in such ways include crystals, glass, and glass fibre.