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Using Platinum and Its Alloys
Platinum labware is essential in many chemical analysis laboratories due to its unmatched durability and performance in high-temperature testing environments. Whether used for ashing, heating, electrolysis, or fusion processes, lab equipment made from pure platinum or platinum alloys ensures precision and longevity in scientific research.
At Birmingham Metal Company Ltd, we offer a diverse range of platinum lab equipment, including crucibles, dishes, electrodes, tongs, and tweezers, each designed to meet the specific demands of chemical and industrial applications. Our products are available in pure platinum or in two specialised platinum alloys:
· 100% Platinum (Pt)
· 95% Platinum / 5% Gold (PtAu)
· 97% Platinum / 3% Rhodium (PtRh)
· 90% Platinum / 10% Rhodium (PtRh)
Each platinum alloy is tailored to enhance specific physical properties, ensuring that the right material is chosen for your lab’s unique processes. For example, the addition of rhodium increases hardness and strength, making it ideal for more intense testing environments.
The Benefits of Using Platinum and Platinum Alloys in Labware
Our platinum labware provides several key advantages for laboratories performing chemical analysis and high-temperature testing:
· High melting points ranging from 1750°C (pure platinum) to 1850°C (platinum-rhodium), perfect for laboratory heating processes.
· Resistance to corrosion, oxidation, and acids, ensuring long-lasting performance in harsh environments.
· Excellent thermal conductivity, allowing for rapid heating and cooling.
· Physical strength—platinum alloys like rhodium significantly enhance the durability of lab equipment, making them ideal for demanding applications.
· Inert and non-contaminating, ensuring samples remain pure during testing.
· Sustainability—platinum is fully recyclable, making it a smart and eco-friendly choice for laboratories.
These properties also contribute to minimal weight loss, even during prolonged heating above 1000°C, and increased longevity through the use of stabilizing materials in the alloys. This makes platinum labware not only reliable but also cost-effective over time.
Applications for Platinum Labware in Chemical Analysis and Testing
The superior characteristics of platinum lab equipment make it suitable for a wide variety of tests, including:
· Ashing and organic substance processing (PtAu 90/10)
· High-temperature fusions (PtAu 95/5, PtRh)
· Electrogravimetry and electroanalysis (Pt, PtRh)
· Sample preparation for X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and other instrumental analysis (PtAu)
· Evaporation and concentration processes (Pt, PtRh)
· Thermal analysis (PtRh 10% and 20%)
Why Choose Platinum Gold (PtAu) Labware?
When it comes to chemical analysis like spectrographic X-ray fluorescence (XRF), platinum-gold labware is often the preferred choice. The addition of gold enhances non-wetting properties, ensuring easy sample removal and better resistance to contamination. Platinum-gold crucibles are especially suited for sample preparation by fusion, offering excellent temperature strength, even at extreme temperatures above 1500°C.
The Unique Properties of Platinum Rhodium (PtRh) Labware
Our platinum labware featuring 3% or 10% rhodium provides some of the highest melting points, ranging from 1780°C to 1850°C. The higher the rhodium content, the better the material performs in maintaining its shape under extreme furnace conditions. This alloy is ideal for high-temperature ash testing, fusions, and oil analysis in the petrochemical industry. However, it is recommended to avoid repeated fusions with PtRh labware, as it may experience minor chemical degradation over time.