Refined platinum bars are solid bars of ultra-high-purity platinum metal produced by accredited refineries after complete separation of platinum from other Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) and base metals. These bars are final, trade-ready products used for investment, industrial, medical, aerospace, and strategic reserve purposes.
Purity & Grade Classification
| Grade Name | Platinum Content |
|---|---|
| Commercial High Purity | ≥ 99.95% Pt |
| Investment / Industrial Grade | ≥ 99.99% Pt |
| Ultra-High Purity (Special) | ≥ 99.999% Pt |
✔ 99.95% is the traditional bullion standard
✔ 99.99% preferred for electronics and chemical processing
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 |
Key Physical Properties
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 21.45 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 1,768 °C |
| Electrical Conductivity | ~9.4 MS/m |
| Thermal Conductivity | ~72 W/m·K |
| Thermal Expansion | Very low |
| Magnetic Behavior | Paramagnetic |
| Corrosion Resistance | Exceptional |
Mechanical Properties
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Hardness (HV, annealed) | 40 – 50 |
| Tensile Strength | ~125 – 150 MPa |
| Yield Strength | ~50 MPa |
| Elongation | 30 – 40% |
| Creep Resistance | Excellent (high temperature) |
Strengthening & Metallurgical Behavior
Crystal Structure: Face-Centered Cubic (FCC)
Strengthening Mechanisms:
✔ Work hardening (cold deformation)
✔ Grain refinement
✔ Solid-solution alloying (Pt–Rh, Pt–Ir – not in pure bars)
❌ No precipitation hardening in pure platinum
Refining & Processing Properties
Platinum concentrate smelting → matte converting → base-metal removal → chemical dissolution → selective precipitation → thermal reduction to platinum sponge → melting and bar casting.
⏳ Typical refining cycle: 3–6 months
Available Forms
Physical Forms:
✔ Cast platinum bars
✔ Minted platinum bars (small sizes)
Typical Weights:
✔ 1 g – 10 g (retail)
✔ 50 g – 100 g
✔ 500 g – 1 kg (investment & industrial)
✔ Custom industrial ingots
Applications
Investment: High-value bullion, portfolio diversification
Industrial & Chemical: Catalysts, glass manufacturing equipment, crucibles
Electronics & Energy: Thermocouples, fuel cells, sensors
Medical: Cancer drugs, implants, surgical tools
Advantages of Refined Platinum Bars
✔ Extreme corrosion resistance
✔ Very high melting point
✔ Stable under aggressive chemical environments
✔ High value density and recyclability
✔ Critical for clean-energy and catalytic technologies
Limitations
⚠ High cost
⚠ Limited global supply
⚠ Lower electrical conductivity than silver or copper
⚠ High density increases storage weight
Platinum vs Gold & Silver Bars
| Feature | Platinum | Gold | Silver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | Very High | High | Medium |
| Melting Point | Very High | Medium | Low |
| Corrosion Resistance | Excellent | Excellent | Good |
| Industrial Demand | Very High | Moderate | High |
| Rarity | Extremely Rare | Rare | Abundant |
Why Choose Refined Platinum Bars
Refined platinum bars are chosen for applications demanding extreme temperature resistance, unmatched chemical stability, and long-term strategic value. Their role in catalysts, clean energy, medical technology, and advanced electronics makes platinum one of the most technologically essential precious metals in the world.