What is platinum?

Platinum is a metal element with an atomic number 78 and a PT symbol. The periodic table of elements is located in Group 10 and in period 6 between Iridium and gold. It is referred to as "transient metal". It is also one of the "platinum metals", along with iridium, eight, palladium, rhodium and ruthenie.

Platinum is a malleable, towing element. Described as grayish white in color, its name comes from Spanish platinum, which means "small silver". Platinum is one of the so -called precious metals, along with gold and silver.

Although he is known in South America and used in South America pre -Columbian natives, his first mention in European literature was probably a sloping reference to metal between Mexico and Darién in 1557 Julius Caesar Scriger, a French scientist of a French scholar Italian background. This was further documented in the 1930s.The platinum occurs around the world, but is primarily mined in Canada, Colombia, Peru, Russia and South Africa. It is produced about 30 tons (27.2 metric tons) per year. Iridium can be added to create an alloy.

Although many people know the platinum for its use in jewelry - so more than 90 percent are used, platinum has a number of other uses. It is used for electricaling, as a catalyst in catalytic converters for cars, in the production of cups, dental crowns and - in combination with cobalt - to produce magnets.

Special use includes the production of standard weights and measures - the international standard for kilogram is 90 % platinum and the standard definition of hydrogen electrode also includes platinum. In the medical environment, it is used in the production of dental crowns, surgical pins Achirurgical tools, as well as used as an anti-core agent.