PLATINUM PROJECT

compiled by Jonathan Tyzack.

This document is about the platinum metals, their brief history and some of their major uses. Below is a document copied from the world wide web which is a good source of such background information.

Up to the discovery of the alleged Yamashita treasure, not so many of us know what platinum is and what it is all about. All that we are familiar with are that it is used for jewelry, for dental fillings, tips of pen, and that is is more expensive than gold, among others. But why it is so special?

Science books say that platinum is the most important of the group of elements called platinum metals, consisting of palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium, osmium; often alloyed together; mostly iron and palladium in substantial amounts. Each has uni que properties and special uses.

Platinum (symbol: Pt) is so named after the Spanish plata (silver) because of its color. It is opaque, slightly bluish-gray like steel; some describe it as a grayish-white metal. And because it always contains iron, iron-rich varieties are dark gray t o nearly black streak shining grayish white, or luster metallic. Scientifically, platinum has an atomic number of 78, atomic weight of 195.08, specific gravity of 21.4520° , boiling point over 3,800°C, and does not melt in ordinary torch flames because it s melting point is 1770°C. It also has a high fusing point, is malleable and ductile - can be formed, and is very tough. It expands very slightly upon heating and has a high electric resistance. Clinically, it is a "noble" metal, that is, is inert and re sists attack by air, water, single acids and ordinary reagents (it does not react to most strong acids) it dissolves slowly only in hot aqua regia, forming chloroplatinic acid, it attached by halogens (it reacts with carbon, phosphorous, silicon, lead, a rsenic and antimony, and combines upon ignition with sodium hydroxide, sodium nitrate or sodium cyanide.

Platinum and palladium are far more important commercially than the other members of the platinum group metals. In general, because of platinum's chemical inertness and high fusing point, it is valuable in laboratory apparatus such as crucibles, tongs , funnels, combustion boats and evaporating dishes. It is also used in electrical apparatus (for contact points) and in instruments used for measuring high temperatures, It is also widely used as a catalyst in the chemical industry, where it is becoming more in demand. A great amount of platinum goes into jewelry in the United States, often alloyed with gold.

Specifically, others in this group are used as follows:

Rhodium, the whitest of the platinum metals, makes it widely used as an electroplate in applications ranging from the finishing of jewelry to the production of the 60-inch search light reflectors. Rhodium has useful catalytic properties that have been found suitable for electrical contacts, and is particularly useful as an electroplated surface on rubbing electrical contacts. The use of rhodium as an alloy with platinum for high temperature use, platinum-10% rhodium thermocouple, is standard for measu rement of temperatures up to about 1,500°C. For higher temperatures, thermocouples made of platinum with 7% and 30% rhodium are available. Platinum-rhodium alloys are used for heating windings in laboratory furnaces. Pure rhodium, as well as pure iridium crucibles are used in growing crystals for laser and related applications.

Iridium, the most corrosion-resistant of the platinum group, is a very effective hardener for platinum. Its extremely high melting point renders it useful is special situations where oxygen can be limited, as in growing special crystals. In addition t o the small percentage of iridium with osmium are found in most platinum deposits, natural alloys of iridium with osmium, found in a few places around the world. In addition, a few thousand ounces of osmiridium are recovered yearly from the gold ores of S outh Africa.

Iridium has outstanding resistance to lead compound at high temperatures , one of the reasons for its use in the ultra long life spark plugs. Small amounts of iridium are usually added to increase the hardness and durability of this metal.

Ruthenium is a good hardener too for platinum, the 12% alloy being used for contacts in voltage regulators, thermostats and magnetos. It is used to harden platinum, and particularly palladium for use in jewelry. Ruthenium content alloys are also use d for tipping the nibs of foundation pens. The electrodeposition of ruthenium is possible, and its hardness makes it useful in instruments where a low pressure rubbing contact is required.

Osmium is the rarest and hardest of the group and has the highest melting point, but its ready oxidation is a limitation. It has been used in the sunthesis of cortisone.

How does platinum look as raw material? Geology books say that platinum comes predominantly in nuggets or grains; large nuggets are rare and very few collections have specimens exceeding the size of a pea, although nuggets of the metal weighing up to 21 pounds have been found. This occurs in the metallic state, alloyed with other platinum metals except for the mineral sperrylite, a platinum arsenide found only in very few places. Nuggets are very small cubes and octahedrons from alluvial deposits, and grains are very rarely isometric crystals, that is having equal lines or sides.

Platinum is mined all over the earth, but the main sources are South Africa, the U.S.S.R. and Canada; other leading producers are Colombia in South America, New South Wales and New Zealand, Australia, and very small grains in the Alaskan alluvial depo sits and in California, U.S.A from the sands of the Trinity River in Trinity Country.

According to records, platinum metals were first mentioned in European literature in the early 16th century, and so were probably used then in Greece and Rome. The first platinum to reach Europe came from placers in the Choco district of what is now C olombia. The new thing was brought to England by a certain Sir Charles Wood in 1741. As its wonders became gradually known, scientific interest also grew. A method for separating quite pure platinum from the ore was devised, and they found the metal to be ductile. But then, its high melting point was a drawback for their intentions. Researchers in England, France, Germany and Russia however, devised methods for consolidating and working platinum into other useful forms. The separation of platinum for use in jewelry came about in 1906.

It is obvious from the above document that the group of platinum metals have many varied and important uses, and some of these are listed below.

World-Wide Platinum Market

Platinum is by far the most rare of the precious metals. On an annualized basis if you compare tonnage of the three primary precious metals, one finds production of silver at 15,000 tons, gold at 1,800 tons and platinum at only 120 tons.

Unlike gold, platinum is a primary industrial and strategic metal. It is estimated that platinum or one of the platinum group metals is involved directly and/or indirectly in 20% of all comsumer products. Industrial demand for platinum has increased 57.6% since 1985; however, last year alone the demand jumped 15%.

The following is a brief list of some of the usages of platinum and the PGMs:

• Its primary usage is in pollution devices, (ie, catalytic converters, industrial smoke stack scrubbers, etc.)
• It is widely used in the jewelry industry. This is probably the second largest usage of the metal.
• It is used in the manufacturing of explosives like TNT.
• It is a key element in the processing of nitric acids.
• It is used in the manufacturing of nitrogen based fertilizers.
• It is used to make aqua regis, a powerful acid used in the chemical and scientific community.
• The platinum metals are used in the processing of eyeglasses.
• Platinum is the element used to tint the glass used in office buildings.
• It is one of the key catalysts used in the petrochemical industry, in processing of unleaded gasoline and jet fuel.
• Petrochemical usages include the manufacturing of plastics and polyester.
• It's used to make colored paints.
• The platinum metals are used extensively in the pharmaceutical industry in the development of anti-cancer and many other drugs.
• Rhodium, the rarest of the PGMs, is the key catalyst in the processing of Tylanol.
• It's used to manufacture other medical devices like endoscopes and catheters.
• Because of it's unmatched and stable electrical conductivity, it is used extensively in the manufacturing of pacemakers.
• It is a key component of jet and rocket engines.
• It is used in extremely sensitive scientific devices like light and oxygen sensors.
• It is part of the coating process for hard drives and other high density computer data storage devices.
• It is an integral part of the communications network like the telephone and internet fiber optics system.
• It is the key component in the manufacturing of LCD (liquid crystal displays) used in lap top computer and other small display electronic devices.
• The use of platinum in the computer industry increased 1000% in 1994.

One of the interesting uses for platinum is as a catalyst in cars, where it helps to reduce the emissions of harmful gases and increases the efficiency with which the air and fuel mixture can combine and combust. This is explained in greater detail below.

Do you want to increase your gas mileage??

Platinum Gasaver is a low cost automotive accessory which increases gas mileage by 22% while meeting all federal and state emission standards.

With a simple connection to a vacuum line, the system operates by injecting platinum, in vapor form, into the gas-air mixture before it enters an engine's combustion chambers. The platinum causes the mixture to burn more completely inside the engine, in the same way that the platinum in the catalytic converter causes the unburnt fuel to burn.

Platinum has the unique ability to make non-burning fuel burn. With platinum in the flame zone, you increase the percentage of fuel burning in the engine from 68% to 90%.

Normally that additional 22% of the fuel would only burn when it came in contact with the platinum surfaces of the catalytic converter.

Unfortunately, the converter process takes place outside of the engine, where the energy produced cannot be harnessed to drive the vehicle.

But with platinum in the combustion chambers, 22% more of each gallon burns inside the engine so that 22% fewer gallons are required to drive the same distance.

The Gasaver also extends engine life by cleaning out the abrasive carbon deposits as well as improving cold weather engine starting.

On an average rate of a 22% increase, over a 30,000 mile period at a cost of $1.30 per gallon, the $129.95 investment in the fuel-saving system would be offset by a fuel savings of $580.

The uses for platinum for decoration and in precious jewellery has already been mentioned and below is a document which chronicles this particular use of platinum throughout the ages. The information is from a firm of jewellers and an brief insight into this industry is also given.

The Magic Metal

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It is truly a magical metal.

History takes us back over 3000 years to ancient Egypt where the remarkable metalsmiths of that time became extremely skilled in the art of working with platinum. A 2500 year old coffin of an Egyptian High Priestess was discovered, decorated with platinum hieroglyphs. Thier polish and luster were still perfect, giving dramatic proof of platinum's incomparable strength and durability.

Another ancient people who created adornments from platinum were the Incas. But the invading Spanish Conquistadors saw little use for the this metal, and deemed it "silver of lesser value", platina. They even went so far as to throw great amounts of the metal into the sea, thinking that it might become a cheap imitation for silver.

Finally, during the eighteenth century, platinum's value as a metal supremely suited for jewelry started to take hold. Then in the nineteenth century, platinum became the de-facto standard for setting the finest of the newly discovered gemstone, the diamond. In fact, the most famous of these gems, the Koh-I-Nor, the Jonker, and the Hope diamonds were all set in platinum.

Platinum is the hardest of the precious metals, it never tarnishes. Its intense luster remains intact over the years, and it is completely hypoallergenic.

Platinum is extremely dense, and remarkably heavy. Much more so than silver or gold. This property of platinum enhances and ennobles the quality of the jewelry from which it is created.

The ultimate stability of platinum over the years is unmatched. It does not wear, and its extreme level of durability offers a profound guarantee of strength and longevity. When a customer comes into our shop to have their great grandmother's ring cleaned, invariably, the ring is made from platinum.

Let Talisman create your Platinum Heirloom of the Future.

PLATINUMFACTS

• Platinum requires special skills and tools to work with. The image above shows a platinum wedding band just after pre-polishing work was done on a lathe. The ring is already so polished it shows a reflection of the photographer taking the picture, even though it is spinning around at thousands of rpm.
• Platinum has an extremely high melting temperature. In its purest form it melts at 3214 degrees F, almost twice the temperature needed to melt 14 karat gold.
• All the platinum ever mined would produce a cube 17 feet on each side, less than 5000 cubic feet.
• It takes up to 10 tons of ore to produce one ounce of platinum, more than twice as much ore that is typically needed for an ounce of gold.
• Platinum is not susceptible to problems like stress corrosion or stress cracking as can be the case with white gold. (This problem mainly applies to prong settings etc. Don't worry, your white gold wedding band will not suffer this problem).

The chemical characteristics of the platinum metals have largely been ignored so far, and to redress the balance there is a document below containing much information about the chemical properties and reactivities of these elements.

Index: Pt	"Frames" version	Restart "frameless" WebElements	Select any element

Data for each element are divided into the below categories, each of which is further divided into subcategories. If you aren't sure in which category the information you seek belongs, then a general index for platinum is also available.

Sub-index for chemical information

• Properties of some compounds
• Radii
• Standard reduction potentials
• Electronegativities
• Effective nuclear charges
• Bond enthalpies
• Lattice energies

chemical information [compounds]

Melting and boiling points [/K]

	M.p. hydride	no data
	B.p. hydride	no data
	B.p. fluoride	330.7