Palladium is a chemical element with the symbol Pd and atomic number 46
Palladium is a rare and lustrous silvery-white metal that belongs to the platinum group of elements. It shares many of the essential properties of precious metals, including rarity, durability, malleability, and conductivity.
- Rarity: Palladium is one of the rarest metals on Earth, making up only 0.015 parts per million of the Earth’s crust. It is primarily mined as a byproduct of platinum and nickel mining.
- Durability: Palladium is highly resistant to corrosion and oxidation, making it very durable. It is also very ductile and can be drawn into thin wires without breaking.
- Malleability: Palladium is malleable and can be easily shaped into various forms. It is often alloyed with other metals, such as gold or silver, to increase its strength and durability.
- Conductivity: Palladium is an excellent conductor of heat and electricity, making it useful in a wide range of industrial applications. It is commonly used in electronics, automotive catalytic converters, and hydrogen fuel cells.
- Beauty: Palladium is a very attractive metal, with a bright, silvery-white color and a high degree of luster. It is often used in jewelry, particularly in men’s wedding bands.
Palladium is used primarily in industrial applications, particularly in the automotive industry. It is a key component in catalytic converters, which help reduce harmful emissions from gasoline-powered vehicles. It is also used in electronics (mostly in capacitors), dentistry, industrial catalysts, and jewelry.
Palladium is primarily found in Russia, South Africa, and Canada. Russia is the largest producer of palladium, followed by South Africa and Canada. Other countries that produce smaller amounts of palladium include the United States, Australia, and Zimbabwe.
Palladium price is very volatile. Current price (April 2023) is about 1,400 $/toz
which represents a 40% decrease in price in the last year (from 2,400 $/toz)
due to a decrease in demand and future expectation as the EV cars are becoming a rapidly growing segment of the automobile industry.
