Iridium is a chemical element with the symbol Ir and atomic number 77. It belongs to the platinum group of elements and is one of the rarest elements on Earth. Iridium is a dense, silvery-white metal that is highly corrosion-resistant and has a very high melting point. It is also one of the most dense elements, with a density that is approximately 22 times that of water. Iridium is found in low concentrations in the Earth's crust, but it is more abundant in meteorites. It is believed that the high concentration of iridium in meteorites is due to the fact that iridium is one of the few elements that can survive the extreme temperatures and pressures of a meteorite impact. The most famous example of this is the K-T boundary layer, which marks the boundary between the Cretaceous and Tertiary periods and is characterized by a high concentration of iridium. Iridium has a number of important applications due to its unique properties. It is used as a hardening agent in platinum alloys, which are used in a variety of applications including electrical contacts, jewelry, and laboratory equipment. Iridium is also used in the production of crucibles and other high-temperature equipment, as well as in spark plugs for aircraft engines. In addition, iridium is used in the production of certain types of LCD screens and in the manufacture of fountain pen tips.
chemical element, platinum group, rare, corrosion-resistant, high melting point
CITATION : "Thomas Jackson. 'Iridium.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=359005 (Accessed on October 08, 2024)"
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