Inspenet, June 18, 2023.
Some time ago we told you about rhodium, one of the most expensive and resistant metals, its properties and its value much higher than gold. It is priced 14 times higher than gold and diamond due to its rarity. On this occasion, we share other interesting facts about this metal that are worth knowing. One of them is that rhodium is resistant to corrosion.
Before going into details, it is important to know that this metal is valuable for several reasons. The first is that there are no mines for this metal. It is a by-product of platinum and palladium in the US (Montana), South Africa, and Russia (by-product of nickel). It should be noted that 80% of its production in the world is concentrated in South Africa, according to a BBC report.
Why is rhodium one of the most expensive and resistant metals?
Rhodium is resistant to corrosion, as it is unaffected by air and water up to 600°C, and by acids, including aqua regia, below 100°C. Despite this, rhodium is attacked by molten alkalis. It is a durable and highly reflective metal. Metallic rhodium does not usually form rust when exposed to high temperatures, according to a publication by the Minor Metas Trade Association.
This property makes it a noble material and a perfect catalyst. Its overall strength and high melting point of 1,964 degrees Celsius (3,567 degrees Fahrenheit) place it among the platinum group metals along with palladium, osmium, iridium, and ruthenium.
Did you know that in addition to being a strange material with a very high price, it is resistant to corrosion?
The primary use of this element is as an alloying agent to harden and improve the corrosion resistance of platinum and palladium. These alloys are used in furnace windings, bushings for fiberglass production, thermocouple elements, electrodes for aircraft spark plugs, and laboratory crucibles.
Rhodium is a rare metal with properties that make it a rarity. In addition to its value, priced at around $270 per gram, according to Minning Digital , the corrosion-resistant rhodium is also one of its most prominent features.
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