Iridium
Real Metals · Very Rare · Modern
The most corrosion-resistant metal known. Iridium survives concentrated acids that dissolve everything else. The second densest naturally occurring element, its extreme hardness makes it virtually impossible to work with conventional tools.
Identity
- Symbol
- Ir
- Atomic number
- 77
- Source
- Natural element
- Aliases
- Ir
Physical Properties
- Appearance
- Silvery-white with a slight yellowish tinge, extremely hard, the second densest element after osmium
- Luster
- Metallic
- Density
- 22.56 g/cm³
- Melting point
- 2446 °C
- Boiling point
- 4428 °C
- Lighter
- Platinum
- Denser
- Osmium
- Magnetism
- Non-magnetic
- Electrical conductivity
- Medium
Mechanical Properties
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5
- Tensile strength
- 2000 MPa
- Softer
- Titanium
- Harder
- Vanadium
- Workability
- Difficult
- Brittleness
- Brittle
- Malleability
- Very Low
- Ductility
- Very Low
Chemical Properties
- Corrosion resistance
- absolute
- Reactivity
- very low
Lore & Narrative
An iridium-rich layer in sedimentary rock worldwide marks the precise moment of the Chicxulub asteroid impact 66 million years ago. The metal is rare on Earth's surface because it sank to the core during planetary formation. The iridium we mine arrived via asteroid impacts after Earth solidified.
- Notable uses
- Spark plug electrodes, scientific crucibles, international prototype kilogram alloy
- Forge uses
- precision instruments, extreme environment applications
- Worldbuilding traits
- indestructible, meteoric, rare, extreme
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