Noble metal alloys that provide exceptionally high resistance to corrosive environments
Platinum and Palladium both offer high melting points and extreme resistance to oxidation and chemical attack. While hardness and electrical conductivity of Platinum Group Metals are relatively low, both can be improved. Hardness and strength can be increased by alloying with other noble metals such as Iridium or Ruthenium and conductivity can be increased by alloying with Silver.
The Platinum and Palladium Group Metals are also often used in medical applications that require their unique bio-compatibility.
ELKONIUM® gold, gold alloy contacts, or contacts that are gold plated are also extremely tarnish resistant and are often used in high reliability applications with long periods of time when the device is not being actuated, but when it is brought into service, it absolutely must work, (aircraft ejection seats for example).
ELKONIUM Platinum Group Materials
ELKONIUM® Designation | Description |
---|---|
ELKONIUM 30 | 99.9% Minimum Platinum |
ELKONIUM 31 | 90% Platinum / 10% Iridium |
ELKONIUM 36 | 97% Silver / 3% Platinum |
ELKONIUM 40 | 99.9% Minimum Palladium |
ELKONIUM 41 | 72% Palladium / 26% Silver / 2% Nickel |
ELKONIUM 42 | 60% Palladium / 40% Silver |
ELKONIUM 48 | 40% Palladium / 60% Silver |
ELKONIUM 70 | 72% Gold / 26.2% Silver / 1.8% Nickel |
ELKONIUM 72 | 69% Gold / 25% Silver / 6% Platinum |
ELKONIUM 76 | 90% Gold / 10% Copper |
ELKONIUM 99 | 99.9% Minimum Gold |