Iridium (Ir) Iridium (Ir) is a dense, corrosion-resistant precious metal belonging to the platinum group metals (PGMs). It possesses one of the highest melting points among all precious metals, outstanding chemical stability and exceptional resistance to oxidation, making it an ideal engineering material for extremely demanding industrial applications.
Due to its remarkable thermal stability and mechanical strength, iridium has become the preferred material for manufacturing crystal growth crucibles, high-temperature laboratory equipment, semiconductor processing components, aerospace parts and advanced scientific instruments operating under aggressive environments.
Sunny Steel supplies a comprehensive range of high purity iridium products including standard stock materials and precision machined custom components manufactured according to customer drawings and international quality requirements.
Physical Properties of Iridium
Iridium possesses one of the highest melting temperatures among all metallic elements and demonstrates exceptional mechanical stability under extremely high operating temperatures. Its remarkable density, corrosion resistance and excellent oxidation resistance make it one of the most valuable engineering materials for harsh industrial environments.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Element Symbol | Ir |
| Atomic Number | 77 |
| Atomic Weight | 192.217 g/mol |
| Density | 22.56 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 2446 °C |
| Boiling Point | 4428 °C |
| Crystal Structure | Face-Centered Cubic (FCC) |
| Hardness | Approx. 6.5 Mohs |
| Electrical Resistivity | Approximately 5.1 μΩ·cm (20°C) |
| Thermal Conductivity | 147 W/m·K |
| Elastic Modulus | Approximately 528 GPa |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion | 6.4 ×10⁻⁶ /K |
These outstanding physical characteristics enable iridium components to maintain dimensional stability, structural integrity and excellent durability under prolonged high-temperature service conditions.
Chemical Properties
Iridium is recognized as one of the most chemically stable metals known. At room temperature it is essentially unaffected by air, moisture, most mineral acids and alkalis. Even under elevated temperatures, its oxidation rate remains extremely low compared with conventional engineering metals.
Chemical Advantages
- Outstanding corrosion resistance
- Excellent oxidation resistance
- Resistant to molten glass attack
- High resistance to molten oxides
- Excellent chemical inertness
- Superior stability under vacuum
Industrial Benefits
- Long operating lifetime
- Reduced contamination
- Low maintenance cost
- Excellent thermal reliability
- Suitable for aggressive environments
- High purity process compatibility
Crystal Structure and Metallurgy
Iridium crystallizes in a face-centered cubic (FCC) lattice, providing an excellent balance between mechanical strength and structural stability. Unlike many refractory metals, iridium maintains its crystal integrity under repeated thermal cycling and prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures.
Its metallurgical characteristics allow precision fabrication into various semi-finished and finished products including rods, wires, sheets, tubes, crucibles, sputtering targets and custom-engineered components.
Key Material Characteristics
High Temperature
Exceptional resistance to temperatures exceeding 2000°C makes iridium indispensable for crystal growth furnaces and thermal processing equipment.
Corrosion Resistance
Iridium remains highly stable in corrosive chemical environments where conventional stainless steels and nickel alloys may fail.
High Purity
Ultra-high purity iridium materials minimize contamination during semiconductor processing, crystal growth and laboratory applications.
