Platinum Standard Bullion Bars are large-format, high-purity platinum bars manufactured primarily for institutional investment, wholesale trade, vault storage, and refinery-to-refinery transactions. These bars are designed to deliver maximum metal value with minimal fabrication cost.
They are typically cast (not minted), produced in high mass, carry low fabrication premiums, and are accepted by global bullion markets and accredited refineries.
International Purity & Compliance Standards
| Standard | Platinum Content |
|---|---|
| Industry Standard | ≥ 99.95% Pt |
| Investment / Exchange Grade | ≥ 99.99% Pt |
| Ultra-High Purity (Special) | ≥ 99.999% Pt |
✔ 99.95% is the global minimum bullion standard
✔ 99.99% preferred for high-trust trading and industrial remelting
Chemical Composition
| Element | Typical Content |
|---|---|
| Platinum (Pt) | 99.95 – 99.99% |
| Palladium (Pd) | < 0.02% |
| Rhodium (Rh) | Trace |
| Iridium (Ir) | Trace |
| Ruthenium (Ru) | Trace |
| Iron / Nickel | < 0.005% |
Platinum bullion bars contain naturally occurring PGM traces and no intentional alloying additions.
Key Physical Properties
| Property | 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 |
| Thermal Expansion | Very low |
| Magnetic Behavior | Paramagnetic |
| Oxidation Resistance | Excellent |
✔ Chemically inert in air, moisture, and most acids
✔ Maintains integrity at very high temperatures
Mechanical Properties
Standard bullion bars are soft and ductile due to slow cooling during casting.
| Property | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Hardness | 40 – 55 HV |
| Tensile Strength | 120 – 170 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 50 – 80 MPa |
| Elongation | 30 – 40% |
| Impact Toughness | High |
The relaxed microstructure allows easy remelting and reprocessing.
Metallurgical Characteristics
• Face-centered cubic (FCC) crystal structure
• Large equiaxed grains with low residual stress
• Minimal segregation and very low porosity
• Excellent stability through repeated melting cycles
Refining & Processing Properties
Primary Refining Route:
• Platinum ore concentration and smelting
• PGM matte converting
• Chemical dissolution (chloride systems)
• Selective precipitation and reduction to platinum sponge
Bullion Casting Process:
• Melting platinum sponge (>1,800 °C)
• Casting into graphite or ceramic molds
• Slow cooling to reduce internal stress
• Surface cleaning, weighing, stamping, and certification
⏳ Typical refining and casting cycle: 4 – 8 months
Available Forms & Sizes
| Weight | Typical Usage |
|---|---|
| 500 g | Wholesale trade |
| 1 kg | Institutional storage |
| 3 kg | Refinery-to-refinery trade |
| 5 kg | Strategic reserves |
| Custom (up to 10 kg) | Industrial remelting |
Shape: Rectangular cast bars with rounded edges and flat or slightly concave surfaces
Applications
Investment & Trade: Institutional holdings, vault storage, large-scale bullion trade
Industrial: Catalyst production, chemical processing, electronics, fuel cells
Refining & Recycling: PGM refining feedstock, alloy and powder production
Advantages
✔ Lowest premium per gram
✔ High liquidity in wholesale markets
✔ Stable storage characteristics
✔ Easy remelting and recycling
✔ Minimal fabrication loss
Limitations
⚠ Not suitable for small investors
⚠ Industrial finish with low aesthetic value
⚠ Requires professional vault storage
⚠ Authentication requires assay verification
Standard Bullion vs Minted vs Coined Platinum
| Feature | Standard Bullion | Minted Bars | Coins |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | Cast | Rolled & stamped | Minted |
| Premium | Lowest | Medium | Highest |
| Weight Range | Large | Small–Medium | Small |
| Liquidity | Wholesale | Retail | Retail |
| Handling | Industrial | Consumer | Consumer |
Why Choose Platinum Standard Bullion Bars
Platinum standard bullion bars are chosen when maximum platinum content per cost, storage efficiency, wholesale liquidity, and future industrial remelting are priorities. Their high purity, chemical inertness, and low premium make them the preferred form for large-scale platinum ownership and trade.