PGMs
What Are Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) And Where Do I Use Them?
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PGM’s refer to the ‘platinum group metals’
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There are six PGMs: palladium, platinum, rhodium, iridium, osmium and ruthenium
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Catalysts: petroleum refining, petrochemical processing, air pollution control (mobile for gasoline & diesel vehicles & stationary abatement)
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Electronics: computer hard drives, fuel cells, thermocouples, multilayer ceramic capacitors, plasma display screens, touch-pads on all hand-held devices (iPads, iPhones and similar products)
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Glass: for flat-screen tv’s, fiberglass, sputtering targets for reflective coatings on windows
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Automobile manufacturing; air bags, anti-lock brakes, spark plugs, oxygen sensors
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Jet engines; turbine blades
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Dental alloys
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Sulphuric acid manufacturing
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Medical: cancer fighting drugs, stents for blocked arteries, pacemakers, implanted defibrillators.
Where Are PGMs Produced?
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Approximately 70% of the world’s supply comes from South Africa
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Approximately 20% comes from Russia
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The balance comes from a handful of mines in North America & from recycling
Specific Issues for PGMs
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PGM’s are highly critical & key components in the above sectors, plus many more. There are no effective substitutes that provide the same cost-effective performance as the PGMs.
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A supply disruption will dramatically & negatively impact all, affecting people around the world and disrupting our entire modern way of life.
Applications
