Platinum cast bars, also known as platinum ingot bars, are solid bars of high-purity platinum metal produced by melting refined platinum and casting it into molds under controlled conditions. They are the most common format for investment, industrial feedstock, vault storage, and refinery-to-refinery trade.
Unlike minted bars, platinum cast bars retain a natural cast surface with visible solidification features and a matte appearance.
Purity & Grade Classification
| Grade | Platinum Content |
|---|---|
| Commercial Bullion Grade | ≥ 99.95% Pt |
| High-Purity Grade | ≥ 99.99% Pt |
| Ultra-High Purity (Special) | ≥ 99.999% Pt |
✔ 99.95% is the most widely accepted bullion standard
✔ 99.99% is used for advanced industrial and laboratory applications
Chemical Composition
| Element | Typical Content |
|---|---|
| Platinum (Pt) | 99.95 – 99.99% |
| Palladium (Pd) | < 0.01% |
| Rhodium (Rh) | Trace |
| Iridium (Ir) | Trace |
| Iron (Fe) | < 0.002% |
| Nickel (Ni) | Trace |
Ultra-low impurity levels ensure exceptional thermal stability and corrosion resistance.
Key Physical Properties
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 21.45 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 1,768 °C |
| Boiling Point | 3,825 °C |
| Thermal Conductivity | ~72 W/m·K |
| Electrical Conductivity | ~9.4 MS/m |
| Magnetic Behavior | Paramagnetic |
| Corrosion Resistance | Outstanding |
✔ Does not tarnish or oxidize in air
✔ Maintains integrity in oxidizing and acidic environments
Mechanical Properties
Cast platinum bars exhibit annealed platinum behavior due to slow cooling.
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Hardness | 40 – 50 HV |
| Tensile Strength | ~125 – 150 MPa |
| Yield Strength | ~45 – 55 MPa |
| Elongation | 35 – 45% |
| Creep Resistance | Excellent at high temperature |
Platinum remains ductile even after repeated thermal exposure.
Metallurgical Characteristics
• Face-centered cubic (FCC) crystal structure
• Coarse equiaxed grains from slow cooling
• Single-phase platinum matrix
• Minimal segregation and low porosity
✔ Stable at extreme temperatures
✔ Resistant to hydrogen embrittlement
Refining & Processing Properties
Refining Route:
• Platinum concentrate smelting and matte converting
• Base-metal removal (Ni, Cu)
• Chemical dissolution and selective precipitation
• Reduction to platinum sponge
• Melting and casting into bars
Casting Process:
• Induction or plasma melting
• Inert or vacuum atmosphere
• Graphite or ceramic molds
• Controlled cooling
• Assaying, stamping, and certification
⏳ Typical refining cycle: 3 – 6 months
Available Forms & Sizes
Shapes: Rectangular ingots, trapezoidal bullion bars, custom industrial slabs
Typical Weights:
• 10 g – 100 g
• 250 g
• 500 g
• 1 kg
• Custom multi-kg ingots
Applications
Investment: High-value bullion holdings, inflation hedge, diversification
Industrial: Catalyst production, glass industry equipment, reactors
Energy & Electronics: Fuel cells, sensors, thermocouples
Medical: Devices and pharmaceutical catalysts
Advantages
✔ Lower premium than minted platinum bars
✔ Globally recognized bullion format
✔ Exceptional thermal and chemical resistance
✔ Ideal for bulk storage and remelting
✔ Minimal processing losses
Limitations
⚠ High acquisition cost
⚠ Heavy weight relative to gold
⚠ Rough surface finish
⚠ Requires secure storage
Cast Bars vs Minted Platinum Bars
| Feature | Cast Bars | Minted Bars |
|---|---|---|
| Surface Finish | Rough / matte | Smooth / polished |
| Premium | Lower | Higher |
| Manufacturing Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Aesthetic Appeal | Moderate | High |
| Industrial Suitability | Excellent | Limited |
Why Choose Platinum Cast Bars (Ingots)
Platinum cast bars are chosen when bulk platinum holding, industrial remelting, lower premiums, and long-term strategic storage are priorities. Their exceptional density, corrosion resistance, and thermal stability make them one of the most durable and valuable precious-metal formats available.