Platinum is a precious metal, second in value only to rhodium—it is currently worth twice as much as gold. It has a face-centered cubic crystal structure. Platinum is already soft at room temperature (HV 55) and very ductile—it can be cold-worked over 90% by rolling and drawing. Unworked platinum’s elastic modulus is 165 GPa. Despite its high melting point, platinum recrystallizes between 500–550°C. Alloying, with for example rhenium or iridium, improves its physical strength. Also dispersion hardening with finely dispersed oxide particles improves strength at temperatures over 1200°C. Platinum is resistant to glass melts and insoluble in acids, but dissolves in aqua regia to form chloroplatinic acid. Alkalis, cyanides and many other molten salts can corrode it. Platinum is the metal most resistant to oxidation at temperatures over 1200°C, oxidizing only slowly in air to create the volatile oxides PtO and PtO2. Platinum occurs in compounds with valences of +2, +4 and occasionally 0.Heraeus produces carrier catalysts for purifying exhaust emissions, platinum-rhodium gauzes for chemical fertilizer and hydrocyanic acid production as well as for homogenous catalysis, for example the Karstedt catalyst for hydrosilylation used in silicon production. Heraeus produces a broad array of laboratory equipment, including crucibles, dishes and other special products made from platinum and platinum alloys. Dispersion hardened platinum materials (DPH) developed by Heraeus are used in applications where strength and resistance to high temperatures are crucial. It is also used in feeder systems, large components and glass fiber bushings for the glass industry. Heraeus produces pharmaceutical ingredients containing platinum for chemotherapy drugs, such as cisplatin and oxaliplatin. Heraeus also uses platinum alloys to manufacture electrodes for pacemakers and other precision components for medical technology applications, as well as primary products for the jewelry and dental technology industries.
