Palladium is being used in the following:
Autocatalysts
Softer than platinum, ductile and resistant to oxidation and high temperature corrosion, palladium is useful in eliminating harmful emissions produced by internal combustion engines. Autocatalysts are by far the largest user of palladium; autocatalysts convert over 90 percent of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen produced in the exhaust from gasoline engines into carbon dioxide, nitrogen and water vapor.
Electronics
Palladium has a number of electronic applications. For example, palladium's chemical stability and electrical conductivity make it an effective and durable alternative to gold for plating in electronic components.
Dentistry
Palladium-based alloys are used in dentistry for dental crowns and bridges. And palladium metal is also compatible with human tissue and is used, in a radioactive form, in the medical industry for the treatment of cancer.
Jewelry
Palladium is lighter than platinum having about the same density as silver, thus, palladium is a jewelry metal as well. Palladium in jewelry is primarily used as an alloy with platinum to optimize platinum's working characteristics and wear properties. Palladium is also used as an alloy in producing white gold.
Chemical
Palladium is an important part of the refining of nitric acid, and has important uses in developing raw materials for synthetic rubber and nylon.
Fuel Cells
Palladium-based alloys are actively being researched for applications in fuel cell technology, an area of future promise for the metal.
Coinage
Palladium is an attractive metal for coinage purposes. Northwest Territorial Mint is actively minting both bullion coins for the bullion market, as well as custom coins from this attractive and precious metal.
Oil Refining
Palladium and other PGM metals serve important functions in catalytic reactions that are used in various stages in the refining of petroleum.
Polyester
Palladium is a critical catalyst in the manufacture of polyester. Read a first hand account about the development of that critical step.
Photography
Palladium and platinum are both used in an historic photographic printing process that many consider superior to conventional silver in tonal quality and archival longevity.
Water Treatment
Palladium is a unique and important catalyst being studied for use in removing a number of toxic and carcinogenic substances from groundwater.
Hydrogen Purification
Palladium's ability to absorb and desorb hydrogen depending on circumstances allows it to be an effective material to filter hydrogen from other gasses resulting in an ultra pure hydrogen gas.
Medicine
Palladium-103, a radioactive isotope of palladium, is seeing promising applications in the treatment of prostate cancer. A newly emerging added area of research is potential use in the treatment of breast cancer. |
