What is Palladium?
It is a silver metal used to manufacture many products. It was discovered in 1802 by chemist and physicist Hyde Wollaston as he tried to purify platinum. There are two main types of this metal that are used in jewelry making: palladium 500, which consists of 50% palladium and 50% silver, and palladium 950, it is made up of 95% palladium and 5% silver. It has a higher price than the first type.
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Chemical Properties of Palladium
- Chemical symbol: Pd
- Atomic number: 46
- Number of neutrons: 60
- Element Category: Transitional metals
- Density: 12.02 g / cc
- Melting point: 2830° F
- Boiling point: 5365° F
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Scientific Facts About Palladium
- Palladium is thirty times rarer than gold.
- Palladium is not deformed at normal air temperature. Therefore, palladium alloys are considered as alternatives to gold and platinum.
- Palladium is one of the most abundant metals on Earth.
- Very resistant to oxidation and corrosion.
- Palladium is chemically stable, which makes it useful for electronics.
- Palladium has great ability to absorb hydrogen.
- Most palladium supplies come from Russia, South Africa, United States and Canada.
Also read: The Most Important Differences Between Gold and Silver
Common Uses of Palladium
- Palladium is used in the manufacture of catalytic converters for cars.
- Palladium is used in jewelry.
- Palladium is used to make currencies.
- Palladium is used in the manufacture of some surgical instruments.
- Palladium is used in the manufacture of watches.
- Palladium is used in the manufacture of electrical appliances.