Materials

The analytical laboratory is a vital part of all industrial plants and research establishments. The techniques employed therein have developed rapidly in recent years, but the fundamentals upon which many of these techniques are based have remained constant and the majority demand the use of high-purity inert materials. In this category platinum has properties that make it an ideal choice. It has a high degree of chemical inertness and yet can be readily fabricated into a wide variety of articles.

Materials

Metals used for laboratory apparatus must have the following properties

  • High temperature strength
  • High melting point
  • Ductility
  • Corrosion resistance
  • Oxidation resistance

Platinum and its alloys possess these qualities and is therefore the most widely used metal for analytical laboratory apparatus. Properties of platinum and some common platinum alloys are briefly discussed here.

95% Platinum / 5% Gold

Universally accepted material of choice for crucible and casting moulds for spectro-graphic analysis by x-ray fluorescence (XRF). The alloy has higher temperature strength than pure platinum and has a “non-wetting” property, which results in easy removal of the sample after fusion and allows for many reproducible assays

Certificate of Conformity 
90% Platinum / 10% Iridium 

Certificate of Conformity 
97% Platinum / 3% Rhodium 

Certificate of Conformity 
90% Platinum / 10% Rhodium 

This alloy has melting point of 1850 degrees celsius, it has greater hardness and higher strength than other platinum alloy. It is capable of maintaining its shape under the hottest furnace conditions.

Certificate of Conformity 
100% Pure Platinum 

Platinum is the best known and least rare of the platinum group metals. Its high melting point, 1773 degrees Celsius, ductility and excellent resistance to chemical attack by acids and fusion mixtures makes it very suitable for laboratory ware.

Certificate of Conformity 
Platinum Auralloy 

Certificate of Conformity 

 

COMPARISON OF PROPERTIES PT PT-10RH PT-5AU AU PT-3RH
Density gcm-3 21.45 19.99 21.33 19.32 20.96
Melting Point °C 1770 1850 1660 1064 1789
Electrical Resistivity (0°C) µΩcm 9.85 18.40 18.50 2.06 15.63
Temp Coeff of Resistance (0-100°C)°C-1 0.0039 0.0017 0.0021 0.004 -
Annealed Hardness Hv 40 90 90 26 57
Ultimate Tensile Strength (20°C) Nmm-2 125 300 245 120 210
Tensile Elongation (20°C) % 40 35 24 42 34
Glass Wetting Resistance (Equilibrium Contact Angle of "E" Glass at 1200°C) 26 45 83 - -