Platinum Metals Review - Volume 28, Issue 1, 1984

Following extensive testing and evaluation in a pilot plant, a large commercial pre-production noble metals refinery utilising a recently developed solvent extraction process has been constructed and is currently undergoing commissioning trials. Built with due regard to the needs of the users of the platinum metals, to the health and safety of the operators and to the protection of the environment, the capacity of the new refinery indicates confidence in the long term demand for the platinum metals.

The cost of platinum and platinum-rich alloys inevitably leads to attempts to find cheaper alternative materials, particularly for applications where they are used for structural purposes. Previous work has generally centred on coating base metals with platinum or on the development of palladium-rich alloys. However, both of these approaches have limitations particularly with regard to strength, corrosion resistance and reliability. The application of zirconia grain stabilised technology to this problem has now resulted in the production of a composite trimetallic material, designated ZGS Platinum “TriM”. This largely overcomes the problems associated with earlier materials and dramatically reduces material costs.

Information concerning the absorption of hydrogen by palladium and its alloys continues to form a significant part of the subject material presented at conferences on metal/hydrogen systems.

This article is based upon a paper presented at the Second International Platinum Seminar, organised by Metal Bulletin and Futures World in association with Johnson Matthey and NYMEX, the New York Mercantile Exchange, held in New York on December 14th, 1983.