Ruqayyah Snyder
Iridium is a chemical element with the atomic number 77 and the symbol Ir. It is a rare, hard, silvery-white transition metal and is the second densest element after osmium. Iridium is highly corrosion-resistant, even at temperatures as high as 2000°C. It is used in a variety of industries, including automotive, medical, and chemical engineering. While iridium is one of the least abundant elements in the Earth's crust, it is relatively common in meteorites. In Australia, Commodity Marketing is the largest supplier of iridium and iridium-based products.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Iridium in Australia | Iridium is one of the least abundant elements in the Earth's crust |
| Iridium is found in nature as an uncombined element or in natural alloys | |
| Iridium is the second densest element | |
| Iridium is the most corrosion-resistant metal | |
| Iridium is a silvery-white transition metal of the platinum family | |
| Iridium is used in chemical, scientific applications across a variety of industries | |
| Iridium is used in spark plugs, crucibles for recrystallization of semiconductors, and electrodes for the production of chlorine | |
| Iridium is used in radioisotope thermoelectric generators used in unmanned spacecraft | |
| Iridium compounds are used as catalysts for the production of acetic acid | |
| Iridium is used in alloys for compass bearings and balances | |
| Iridium is used in alloys for deep-water pipes | |
| Iridium is used in alloys for aircraft engine parts | |
| Iridium Satellite Network | Iridium operates the world's only truly global satellite communications network |
| Iridium's satellite network provides voice and data connectivity anywhere in the world | |
| Iridium's satellite network is used for asset tracking and other GPS requirements | |
| Telstra Mobile Satellite is powered by the Iridium satellite network |
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What You'll Learn
- Iridium is one of the least abundant elements in the Earth's crust
- Commodity Marketing is Australia's largest supplier of iridium
- Iridium is used in chemical, scientific applications across a variety of industries
- Iridium is the second densest element
- Iridium is used in spark plugs, crucibles, and electrodes
Iridium is one of the least abundant elements in the Earth's crust
Iridium is a very hard, silvery-white transition metal of the platinum group. It is one of the least abundant stable elements in the Earth's crust, with an average mass fraction of 0.001 parts per million (ppm) in crustal rock. In contrast, gold is four times more abundant, platinum is ten times more abundant, and silver and mercury are eighty times more abundant. Osmium, tellurium, ruthenium, rhodium, and rhenium are about as abundant as iridium.
Iridium is found in nature as an uncombined element or in natural alloys, especially iridium-osmium alloys like osmiridium (osmium-rich) and iridosmium (iridium-rich). It can also be found in alloys with raw nickel or raw copper. Iridium-dominant minerals are exceedingly rare, with examples including irarsite and cuproiridsite.
Within the Earth's crust, iridium is found at its highest concentrations in three types of geological structures: igneous deposits (crustal intrusions from below), impact craters, and deposits reworked from one of the former structures. The largest known primary reserves are in the Bushveld igneous complex in South Africa, near the Vredefort impact structure. The large copper-nickel deposits near Norilsk in Russia and the Sudbury Basin in Canada are also significant sources of iridium.
Iridium is relatively common in meteorites, with concentrations of 0.5 ppm or more. The overall concentration of iridium on Earth is thought to be much higher than what is observed in crustal rocks. However, due to its density and siderophilic ("iron-loving") character, it descended below the crust and into the Earth's core when the planet was still molten. This is also why the rarest elements in the crust are not the heaviest, but rather the siderophile elements that have been relocated deeper into the Earth's core.
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Commodity Marketing is Australia's largest supplier of iridium
Iridium is used in chemical and scientific applications across these industries. For example, due to its high melting point, hardness, and corrosion resistance, it is often used in spark plugs and the production of chlorine in the chloralkali process. It is also used in catalysis, radioisotope thermoelectric generators in unmanned spacecraft, and the production of acetic acid.
The annual production of iridium is relatively low, at around 3 tonnes or about 100,000 troy ounces. The price of iridium can fluctuate considerably, and as of 2007, it was $440 USD/ozt. The high volatility of platinum group metal prices has been attributed to supply, demand, speculation, and hoarding, amplified by the small market size and instability in producing countries.
Iridium is found in meteorites in much higher abundance than in the Earth's crust. It is thought that when the planet was young and molten, most iridium descended below the crust and into the Earth's core due to its high density and affinity to bond with iron. This high abundance of iridium in meteorites provided crucial support for the Alvarez hypothesis, which posits that the extinction of the dinosaurs was caused by the impact of a massive extraterrestrial object.
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Iridium is used in chemical, scientific applications across a variety of industries
Iridium is a rare and valuable transition metal with diverse applications across industries. It is one of the rarest elements in the Earth's crust, and its high melting point, hardness, and corrosion resistance make it ideal for harsh environments.
Iridium is used in the chemical industry as a catalyst to facilitate chemical reactions. For example, it enhances the performance of spark plugs in the aviation industry. Iridium is also used in the production of chlorine and other corrosive products, as well as in the manufacture of OLEDs and catalysts like acetic acid. Due to its high melting point, it is used in the Czochralski process to produce oxide single-crystals, such as sapphires, for use in computer memory devices and solid-state lasers.
In the field of medicine, iridium is used in cancer treatment. Its alloys are used in certain long-life aircraft engine parts and deep-water pipes because of their corrosion resistance. Iridium is also combined with osmium to make fountain pen nibs, pivot bearings, and other scientific and specialized equipment.
Iridium has become an important component in LED screens and backlit displays of technology devices, such as iPads and iPhones, which has increased demand and driven up prices. Its electrical conductivity and heat resistance make it ideal for use in electronics, machinery, and electrical contacts. Iridium is also used in laboratory equipment and spacecraft components, where its resilience and reliability contribute to advancements in technology.
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Iridium is the second densest element
Iridium is a rare, hard, silvery transition metal. It is one of the densest naturally occurring metals, with a density of 22.56 g/cm³ or 22.65 g/cm³, depending on the measurement method. It is second only to osmium, which has a density of 22.59 g/cm³. Iridium is also highly corrosion-resistant, even at temperatures as high as 2,000 °C (3,630 °F). It is one of the rarest elements in the Earth's crust, with an estimated annual production of only 6,800 kilograms in 2023.
Iridium was discovered in 1803 by English chemist Smithson Tennant in the acid-insoluble residues of platinum ores. The name iridium comes from the Greek word "iris", meaning rainbow, which refers to the various colours of its compounds. Iridium is almost as unreactive as gold and has a very high melting point. It is believed to have arrived on Earth via the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs. This asteroid impact created a thin layer of iridium-rich clay around the Earth, known as the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary.
Iridium is found in platinum ores and is usually extracted as a byproduct of mining other metals. It is often combined with osmium, another extremely dense element, to form an alloy used for pen tips and compass bearings. Iridium is also used in the manufacture of aircraft, spark plugs, and tech devices due to its high melting point and corrosion resistance. However, its high cost means it is typically only used in small amounts.
Iridium has several unique properties that make it valuable in various industrial applications. It has the second-highest modulus of elasticity among metals and a very low Poisson's ratio, indicating a high degree of stiffness and resistance to deformation. This makes it ideal for use in extreme conditions, such as high-grade spark plugs for aviation aircraft and crucibles for melting and manipulating other industrial metals. Iridium's high melting point and low reactivity also make it suitable for use in sapphire crystal manufacturing, where temperatures exceed 3,711 °F.
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Iridium is used in spark plugs, crucibles, and electrodes
Iridium is a platinum group metal with the atomic number 77. It is a very hard and brittle metal with a silvery colour. Iridium is one of the rarest metals on Earth and is found in a thin stratum in various parts of the world. Due to its rarity and excellent physical and chemical properties, it is used in various applications, including spark plugs, crucibles, and electrodes.
Iridium spark plugs are widely recognised as superior ignition products for high-performance engines. They are comparable in performance to platinum spark plugs, which are usually available for a lower price. However, iridium spark plugs offer excellent value for money and are highly suitable for the job. The best models use two or three layers of iridium on the central electrode, providing better results and higher resistance to cracks and impact damage.
Iridium crucibles are used to grow various metal oxide single crystals, including scintillation crystals. These crystals are used in metal scanners, mobile phones, and liquid crystal display backlighting. Iridium is an ideal material for crucibles due to its high purity, defect-free structure, and high density. Additionally, iridium is highly resistant to most acids, alkalis, and molten materials, making it suitable for handling aggressive chemicals.
Iridium is also commonly used in electrodes, often in an alloy with platinum. The platinum-iridium alloy is considered the gold standard for chronic recording and microstimulation due to its electrochemical and mechanical characteristics. The alloy is typically two inches in length and mounted in stainless steel and polyimide tubing for stability and ease of handling.
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Frequently asked questions
Iridium is a chemical element with atomic number 77, represented by the symbol Ir. It is a hard, brittle, silvery-white transition metal of the platinum family.
Iridium is the second densest element and the most corrosion-resistant metal, even at temperatures as high as 2000 °C. It is also highly heat resistant.
Iridium is used in chemical, scientific, and industrial applications. Its alloys are used in spark plugs, electrodes, compass bearings, and deep-water pipes. It is also used in satellite communications.
Iridium is available in Australia through suppliers such as Commodity Marketing, which is based in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth. It can also be found in the form of the Iridium Satellite Network, which provides voice and data connectivity across the country.
To use the Iridium Satellite Network in Australia, you need to be within the coverage area and have a clear, wide line of sight to the sky. You can purchase Iridium handsets and plans from Telstra Mobile Satellite, which allow you to call and text from remote locations.
