Plaatinarühmade

Plaatinarühmade, also known as platinum-group metals (PGMs), is a collective term for six distinct chemical elements that share similar physical and chemical properties. These elements are ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium, and platinum itself. They are all rare, dense, and silvery-white transition metals known for their exceptional resistance to corrosion and oxidation, even at high temperatures. This remarkable inertness, combined with their catalytic abilities, makes them highly valuable in numerous industrial applications.

The PGMs are typically found together in nature, often in the same mineral deposits, which makes their extraction and separation a complex and costly process. Platinum and palladium are the most abundant and widely utilized of the group. Their primary use is as catalysts, particularly in automotive catalytic converters, where they help to reduce harmful emissions from vehicle exhaust. Beyond automotive applications, PGMs are essential in the production of chemicals, petroleum refining, and in the electronics industry for components like hard drives and sensors.

The jewelry industry also heavily relies on platinum and palladium due to their beauty, durability, and hypoallergenic properties. Furthermore, their unique characteristics are exploited in specialized fields such as dentistry, aerospace, and in the creation of laboratory equipment. Due to their rarity and high demand, PGMs are considered precious metals and are subject to significant market fluctuations. Their strategic importance is recognized globally, with efforts focused on recycling and developing more efficient uses to ensure their continued availability.