Platinum Metals Review - Volume 38, Issue 3, 1994

The development of materials which contain the noble metals for use in high temperature strain gauges is reviewed, with particular emphasis being placed upon work done by the Institute of Precious Metals, in China. Three alloy systems displaying excellent resistance to oxidation and good overall properties when used in high temperature strain gauges, are singled out for examination. These are platinum-tungsten-rhenium-nickel-chromium-yttrium, gold-palladium-chromium-platinum-iron-aluminium-yttrium and palladium-chromium. Their development and the suitability of these alloys for use in measuring high temperature static strain are discussed.

A wide ranging survey is presented updating information and opinions on the correlations which occur between structural change and hydrogen pressure-hydrogen content-temperature (p-c(n)-T) relationships in the palladium-hydrogen and other related systems. Particular attention is directed to problems of the estimation and definition of the limits of composition over the α ↔ β phase transition region and near to designated critical points.

The success of Pierre François Chabaneau and Fausto de Elhuyar in the refining of platina may be seen as marking the end of the first phase of the Spanish attempt to establish a monopoly of this new metal. It then became necessary to organise the collection and shipment of platina from New Granada to Spain. Initially this was not as successful as the Viceroy would have liked, and an attempt by Juan José de Elhuyar to refine platina in New Granada prior to its shipment to Europe was also fruitless.