Discovery Information
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Who: Smithson Tenant, A.F.Fourcory, L.N.Vauquelin, H.V.Collet-Descoltils
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When: 1804 |
Where: England/France |
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Name Origin
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Latin: iris, iridis (rainbow) as many of its salts are stronly coloured. |
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Sources
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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.
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Uses
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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.
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Notes
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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. |