Ruthenium
Ruthenium is a rare, silvery-white metal that belongs to the platinum group of metals. Its symbol on the periodic table is RU and its atomic number is 44.
Ruthenium’s essential properties are:
- Rarity: Ruthenium is one of the rarest elements on Earth, with an average abundance in the Earth’s crust of only 0.001 parts per million (PPM).
- Durability: Ruthenium is highly resistant to corrosion and oxidation, making it extremely durable. It is also one of the hardest and most wear-resistant metals.
- Malleability: Ruthenium is a relatively hard and brittle metal, but it is still malleable and can be shaped into various forms.
- Conductivity: Ruthenium is an excellent conductor of electricity, and it is often used in electrical contacts, resistors, and other electronic components.
- Beauty: Ruthenium has a lustrous, silvery-white appearance, but it is uncommonly used in jewelry due to its rarity.
Ruthenium is primarily used as a catalyst in a wide range of industrial processes including the production of fertilizers, synthetic fibers, and pharmaceuticals. It is also used in the production of electrical contacts, hard disks for data storage, and jewelry alloys.
Ruthenium is found in small amounts in the Earth’s crust, primarily in Russia, Canada, and South Africa. The highest price for ruthenium in recent years was in 2008, when it reached a peak of around $420 per troy ounce.
Overall, ruthenium’s rarity, durability, conductivity, and catalytic properties make it a valuable and important metal in a variety of industries.
For detailed information on physical and mechanical properties press here
