SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1960
STP46330S

Tensile Properties of the Platinum-Group Metals

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Basic information resulting from studies of the alloying behavior and mechanical properties of the platinum group of metals is presented. Tension tests were conducted on five of the six platinum-group metals over a range of temperatures from −196 to 1000 C. For most of these, two or more lots of material were tested, representing different purities or different methods of consolidation. All metals were tested in the annealed condition. Ruthenium was prepared by powder metallurgy techniques, being sintered in hydrogen at 2200 C and then hot swaged to final size. Rhodium, palladium, iridium, and platinum were received as rod stock. In addition, tension tests were made on rods of rhodium and iridium that were electron-beam melted prior to final fabrication. Ruthenium tested at 750, 1000, and 1200 C exhibited low to moderate ductility, with a tensile strength of about 30,000 psi at 1000 C. Rhodium, tested at −196 to 1000 C, showed good ductility throughout although the effects of intergranular cracking became apparent at 500 and 1000 C. Tensile strength was about 12,500 psi at 1000 C. Palladium was very ductile over the −196 to 1000-C temperature range, with low strengths. Iridium showed good ductility at the higher temperatures, but low ductility at − 196 C. A tensile strength of about 45,000 psi was obtained at 1000 C. Platinum, like palladium, was very ductile, with low strength properties. Evidence of twinning and recrystallization was observed for most of these metals, the maximum temperature for twinning ranging from 25 C for platinum to 1000 C for ruthenium. A plot of tensile strengths versus homologous temperature showed that iridium, rhodium, and possibly ruthenium are considerably stronger than palladium and platinum.

Author Information

Holden, F., C.
Battelle Memorial Inst., Columbus, Ohio.
Douglass, R., W.
Battelle Memorial Inst., Columbus, Ohio.
Jaffee, R., I.
Battelle Memorial Inst., Columbus, Ohio.
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Details
Developed by Committee: B02
Pages: 68–80
DOI: 10.1520/STP46330S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-6780-3
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-6577-9