Platinum
Real Metals · Very Rare · Modern
The densest naturally occurring metal and one of the rarest elements on Earth. Platinum's resistance to corrosion and heat, combined with its catalytic properties, make it indispensable in automotive catalytic converters, laboratory equipment, and fine jewelry.
Identity
- Symbol
- Pt
- Atomic number
- 78
- Source
- Natural element
- Aliases
- Pt, White gold (misnomer)
Physical Properties
- Appearance
- Dense silver-white, slightly grey tinge, does not tarnish
- Luster
- Metallic
- Density
- 21.45 g/cm³
- Melting point
- 1768 °C
- Boiling point
- 3825 °C
- Lighter
- Gold
- Denser
- Iridium
- Magnetism
- Non-magnetic
- Electrical conductivity
- Medium
Mechanical Properties
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Tensile strength
- 125 MPa
- Softer
- Shakudo
- Harder
- Hepatizon
- Workability
- Moderate
- Brittleness
- Tough
- Malleability
- High
- Ductility
- High
Chemical Properties
- Corrosion resistance
- absolute
- Reactivity
- very low
Lore & Narrative
Pre-Columbian South Americans worked platinum for centuries before Europeans. When Spanish conquistadors encountered it, they called it platina, 'little silver', and considered it an impure nuisance. They threw it into rivers to prevent its use in counterfeit gold coins.
- Notable uses
- Jewelry, catalytic converters, laboratory equipment, cancer treatment
- Forge uses
- jewelry, laboratory equipment, medical
- Worldbuilding traits
- rare, incorruptible, dense, catalytic
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