The term “precious metals” has a specific meaning. While all precious metals are metals, not all metals are precious metals. While many metals are used in the process of electroplating, only certain ones are used for precious metals plating. These, rightly or wrongly, are perceived by the public as being prohibitively expensive or, at least, special.
What Makes a Metal Precious?
Originally, precious metals were those that fell into one of (or even both of) two categories:
1. Rare
2. Currency
Today, people look at precious metals as being either a potential financial investment or an industrial commodity. While some remain popular as coinage, others remain precious because they have a higher value than other metals do. This finds its basis in any of several factors including:
* Rarity
* Investment worth
* Potential or actual use in industrial processes
In industrial processes, the most common uses of precious metals involves the plating of components or parts. Precious metals plating has become a popular method to imbue more base metals with certain properties. In this type of application, certain metals are used more commonly than others are:
Four Common Precious Metals Used in Plating
Several different metal that are considered precious are used to plate other metals. Four metals that commonly are employed in the precious metals plating profess are:
* Gold (Au): gold is a soft metal. However, it is preferred in plating when there is need for the aesthetic to combine with practical applications such as corrosion resistance to both air and water.
* Silver (Ag): Like gold, silver is valued as a currency and for its attractive appearance. However, when it comes to its application in precious metals plating processes, it is valued for its ability to improve both electrical and thermal conductivity.
* Platinum (PT): A platinum overlay increases the ability of the substrate or base metal to resist corrosion. It also makes the underlying metal harder. Stable and durable at high temperatures, platinum is one of the most expensive precious metals on the market today.
* Palladium (Pd): The platinum group is home to many metals that are used to cover the substrate in precious metals plating. An anti-corrosive, it provides the base metal with similar properties as those bestowed by gold.
In terms of monetary consideration, all four of these precious metals possess an ISO 4217 currency code.
Other Types of Precious Metals Used in Plating
However, while these are the most common ones employed, they are not the only precious metals used in the process. Other types include:
* Iridium
* Osmium
* Rhodium
* Ruthenium
These are all members of the Platinum group. In this group, platinum is the precious metal most commonly employed in industry. Yet the above metals still find applications in various degrees in industrial precious metals plating.
Precious Metals Plating
In spite of the implications of the name, precious metals are in high demand in various industries. The aerospace, automotive, communication and electronic industries require the properties of precious metals to ensure their products are performing to the best of their capabilities. While the cost to produce products completely comprised of pure precious metals may often be prohibitive, precious metals plating fulfills the demand of high quality components at a more affordable price.
