New Dispersion Strengthened Platinum Alloy

Zirconia grain stabilised platinum alloys developed by Johnson Matthey are widely used to contain molten glass. The high temperature strength of these alloys is well in excess of that of similar conventional rhodium-platinum alloys, and zirconia grain stabilised ten per cent rhodium-platinum, the strongest alloy in the range, is used in the most demanding applications where its excellent creep resistance offers prolonged component life. However the present high cost of rhodium, compared with that of platinum, has generated increased interest in alloys with a lower rhodium content suitable for certain applications where the outstanding properties of the ten per cent alloy are not fully utilised. To meet this demand Johnson Matthey have now developed zirconia grain stabilised five per cent rhodium-platinum. This alloy offers a useful range of physical properties for applications where economic considerations are a major factor.