Application of platinum and rhodium metal in glass fiber industry

Release time：

2009-08-05 00:00

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Platinum and rhodium precious metals are widely used in automobile exhaust gas purifier production, oil refining and petrochemical, chemical and fine chemicals, and jewelry industries. Among them, the content of platinum group metals in the ore is generally very low, only a few grams per ton. Platinum and rhodium metals are one of China's extremely short strategic resources.

The application of platinum and rhodium metal in the glass fiber industry is mainly reflected in the leakage plate and its accessories. Representative alloy models are Pt/Rh10, Pt/Rh5, etc.

1. The reasons for choosing platinum-rhodium alloy as the material of the glass fiber leakage plate influence the selection of the glass fiber leakage plate material. The four factors are: high temperature corrosion resistance of glass liquid; good oxidation resistance at high temperature; resistance to high temperature load conditions Creep resistance; the wetting angle of the liquid glass to the leakage plate material should be small enough to prevent the glass liquid from overflowing on the bottom plate.

Platinum and rhodium metal is a material that satisfies the above 4 conditions and is a standard material for the glass fiber industry. In order to make a larger leakage plate, the use of zirconium or yttrium dispersion-reinforced platinum-rhodium alloy has the advantages of: no need to further increase the rhodium content, good mechanical processing performance, creep resistance at high temperatures, and can reduce glass liquid and leakage. Wetting angle of the board material.

2. The resource reserve and supply, nature and use of platinum and rhodium

Platinum and rhodium resource reserves and supply

The global platinum reserves are 18,000 tons, of which rhodium is less than 10%. One ounce of platinum is refined for every 10 tons of ore. The world's platinum and rhodium reserves are mainly in South Africa, followed by Russia and Canada. China's reserves are less than 1% of the world's reserves. In 2007, platinum supply was about 6.55 million ounces (about 203 tons), of which South Africa was about 5 million ounces and Russia was 800,000 ounces; platinum demand in 2007 was 7.03 million ounces (about 218 tons). In 2007, the supply of rhodium was 822,000 ounces (South Africa supplied 696,000 ounces). In 2007, the demand for rhodium for diesel vehicle exhaust treatment alone reached 879,000 ounces.

The properties of platinum and rhodium

1. Platinum has a density of 21.41 g/cm3 and a melting point of 1769°C. It is soft and can be forged, rolled and drawn into rods, sheets, wires, etc. Its chemical properties are stable, and it is not easy to be oxidized at high temperature; it has excellent chemical resistance; it does not react with other substances except aqua regia at room temperature; its resistivity is stable.

2. The density of rhodium is 12.4 g/cm3, which is a light platinum element, and its melting point is 1966℃. Its chemical properties are stable, and it is difficult to corrode it with aqua regia at 100°C; it is hard and brittle and difficult to be machined; its resistivity is stable.

The use of platinum and rhodium

Automotive exhaust gas processor is the main use of platinum. In 2007, the amount used was 4.235 million ounces (approximately 131.7 tons). Jewelry is the second largest use of platinum, and its consumption in 2007 was 1.595 million ounces (approximately 49.6 tons). Platinum is also widely used in petrochemical industry, electronic instrument industry, glass fiber industry, dentistry and even cancer treatment (cisplatin has a strong anti-cancer ability).

The main use of rhodium is the catalyst for the exhaust gas processor of automobile diesel engines. In 2007, the consumption of automobile exhaust gas processor alone was 879,000 ounces.

Platinum and rhodium alloys are also used in jewelry manufacturing, electrical wiring, aero engines, and fiberglass industries.

3. Countermeasures for the glass fiber industry in the face of the fluctuations in platinum and rhodium prices

Set up special personnel to pay close attention to the changes in the precious metals market, and the industry to strengthen information exchange and communication. Try to rent platinum instead of buying platinum to avoid risks appropriately. Use ZGSPtRh5 instead of the traditional PtRh10 to make the drain plate.

It is recommended that fiberglass manufacturers recycle platinum instead of selling platinum-containing refractory materials, establish a standardized recycling procedure between recycling manufacturers and fiberglass manufacturers, strengthen management and reduce platinum consumption; improve the design of the leakage plate and reduce the amount of platinum and rhodium.