Iridium [Ir] (CAS-ID: 7439-88-5) locate me
An: 77 N: 115 Am: 192.217 (3)
Group No: 9  Group Name: Precious metal or Platinum group metal
Block: d-block  Period: 6
State: solid at 298 K
Colour: silvery white Classification: Metallic
Boiling Point: 4701K (4428'C)
Melting Point: 2719K (2446'C)
Density: 22.65g/cm3
Availability: Iridium is available in many forms including foil, sheet, wire, "evaporation slugs", powder, and sponge.
Shell Structure diagram | Atomic Radius diagram
Isotopes | More Info
Discovery Information
Who: Smithson Tenant, A.F.Fourcory, L.N.Vauquelin, H.V.Collet-Descoltils
When: 1804
Where: England/France
Name Origin
Latin: iris, iridis (rainbow) as many of its salts are stronly coloured.
Sources
Found in gravel deposits with platinum. Naturally occurring iridium alloys include iridiosmium and osmiridium, both of which are mixtures of iridium and osmium. Although rare on Earth, iridium is common in meteorites.
Uses
Used with osmium to tip gold pen points, to make crucible and special containers (that require high temperature resistance). Used to make alloys used for standard weights and measures, and heat-resistant alloys. Also used in cancer irradiation, hypodermic needles, helicopter spark plugs and as hardening agent for platinum.
Notes
Iridium is notable for being the most corrosion resistant element known.
Iridium metal is generally non-toxic, but it's compounds should be regarded as highly toxic.
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