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Iridium Straight Wire
Available Configurations
Properties common to all products in this list
| Diameter | Length | Other Variant |
|---|---|---|
| 0.25 mm to 1 mm | 0.01 m to 1 m | Spooled wire |
Need custom configurations? Please contact us.
Key Features
Iridium Straight Wire supplies cut, dimensionally stable lengths of the hardest platinum group metal, providing a precisely defined, rigid wire geometry suited to applications requiring maximum arc erosion resistance, chemical stability, and dimensional precision:
Highest Hardness Among the Platinum Group Metals
Iridium’s hardness, unmatched among the platinum group metals, is the primary reason for its selection over platinum in electrode and contact applications where surface erosion and wear are the primary failure modes.
Melting Point 2,446 °C and Superior Arc Erosion Resistance
A melting point of 2,446 °C and superior arc erosion resistance relative to platinum allow fine-wire iridium electrode tips to maintain ignition performance and dimensional integrity over the full service life of the application.
Straight, Cut-Length Format for Direct Integration
The straight, cut-length format suits direct integration into electrode assemblies, electrical contact elements, and high-reliability switching components without further straightening or preparation, maintaining tip geometry from delivery to installation.
Chemical Stability at Elevated Temperature
Extremely low chemical reactivity toward most acids and molten salts, combined with chemical stability under oxidizing conditions at elevated temperatures, supports use in high-temperature electrochemical and furnace environments where base metal alternatives would be inadequate.
Well-Defined Electrical Properties for Research Use
Iridium straight wire provides well-defined and reproducible electrical properties in a precise wire geometry, supporting its use as a precision resistance element and electrochemical probe in research apparatus where dimensional stability and chemical inertness are both required.
Industrial Applications
Iridium Straight Wire is used wherever the hardest platinum group metal must be supplied in a dimensionally precise, ready-to-use straight form:
- ✦ Spark Plug Center Electrode Manufacture
- The primary use in straight wire form. Iridium’s extreme hardness, high melting point, and superior erosion resistance allow fine-wire electrode tips that maintain ignition performance over the full service life of the plug. The straight format suits direct integration into electrode assemblies.
- ✦ Electrical Contact Elements and High-Reliability Switching
- Applied as electrical contact elements and switching components, where extreme hardness and arc erosion resistance extend service life and maintain consistent contact resistance. The cut-length format provides dimensional precision for direct assembly without further preparation.
- ✦ High-Temperature Electrochemistry Probes and Pins
- Used as electrochemical pins and probe elements for high-temperature electrochemistry measurements, where chemical stability at elevated temperature and well-defined electrical properties support accurate, reproducible results in aggressive environments.
- ✦ Crucible and Furnace Support Structures
- Applied as support wire in reactive metal processing furnaces and crucible assemblies, where iridium’s refractory character and chemical inertness prevent contamination and maintain dimensional stability at process temperatures.
- ✦ Precision Resistance Elements in High-Temperature Instrumentation
- Used as precision resistance elements in apparatus requiring a chemically inert, refractory conductor with well-defined, reproducible electrical properties, where dimensional stability of the straight wire element is a functional requirement.
Material Properties
| Element | Value |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 77 |
| Crystal structure | Face centred cubic |
| Electronic structure | Xe 4f¹⁴ 5d⁷ 6s² |
| Valences shown | 3, 4 |
| Atomic weight( amu ) | 192.22 |
| Thermal neutron absorption cross-section( Barns ) | 425 |
| Photo-electric work function( eV ) | 4.6 |
| Natural isotope distribution( Mass No./% ) | 191/ 37.3 |
| Natural isotope distribution( Mass No./% ) | 193/ 62.7 |
| Atomic radius - Goldschmidt( nm ) | 0.135 |
| Element | Value |
|---|---|
| Material condition | Soft |
| Material condition | Hard |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.26 |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.26 |
| Bulk modulus( GPa ) | 371 |
| Bulk modulus( GPa ) | 371 |
| Tensile modulus( GPa ) | 528 |
| Tensile modulus( GPa ) | 528 |
| Hardness - Vickers( kgf mm⁻² ) | 650 |
| Hardness - Vickers( kgf mm⁻² ) | 200-300 |
| Tensile strength( MPa ) | 550-1100 |
| Tensile strength( MPa ) | 1200 |
| Element | Value |
|---|---|
| Electrical resistivity( µOhmcm ) | 5.1@20°C |
| Superconductivity critical temperature( K ) | 0.11 |
| Temperature coefficient( K⁻¹ ) | 0.0045@0-100°C |
| Thermal emf against Pt (cold 0C - hot 100C)( mV ) | 0.65 |
| Element | Value |
|---|---|
| Boiling point( C ) | 4130 |
| Density( gcm⁻³ ) | 22.4@20°C |
| Element | Value |
|---|---|
| Melting point( C ) | 2410 |
| Latent heat of evaporation( J g⁻¹ ) | 3186 |
| Latent heat of fusion( J g⁻¹ ) | 135 |
| Specific heat( J K⁻¹ kg⁻¹ ) | 133@25°C |
| Thermal conductivity( W m⁻¹ K⁻¹ ) | 147@0-100°C |
| Coefficient of thermal expansion( x10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ ) | 6.8@0-100°C |
Tolerances
| Diameter | ±10% | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | +5% / -1% |