September 7, 2006

Rhodium Uses

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Did You Know?

that Rhodium is historically circa six times more expensive than Gold

Rhodium is one of a group of metals known as Noble Metals. Most are Precious Metals and all are resistant to corrosion and oxidation. Other examples are Gold Platinum and Silver.

Rhodium has a very high melting point, is corrosion resistant and is a good electrical conductor

These properties allow it to be used in

• electrical devices
• high temperature alloys
• specialised laboratory equipment
• furnace windings
• thermo-couple elements
• aircraft spark plug electrodes.

Like Platinum and Palladium it is a catalyst and can be used in automobile catalytic converters although Rhodiums' current high cost limits its' wide use in this application.

It is also a very effective catalyst in a number of important industrial applications.

Rhodium can be electroplated when it becomes extremely hard and is used in optical instruments.

A thin film of Rhodium applied to glass produces an effective optical quality mirror.

Rhodium is a good hardener for Platinum and Palladium.

Rhodium applied as a coating to other metals provides a shiny hard surface that is used in camera parts, table silverware and similar items.

Used to give white gold an extra shine, it is also used in jewelry and other decorative applications.

In exceptional circumstances when Platinum and Gold have been considered inadequate symbols of wealth, Rhodium has been used to produce the ‘most expensive’ product or accessory.

A one-off Rhodium plated disc was presented by The Guinness Book of Records to Paul McCartney for being the all-time best selling recording artist and songwriter.

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