| Origin of Name |
From the Latin word iridis, meaning rainbow |
| Date and Place of Discovery |
In 1804 in London, England |
| Discovered by |
Smithson Tennant |
| Common Compounds |
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| Interesting facts |
- It is occurs in natural alloys with platinum or osmium.
- It is the most resistive to corrosion - it cannot be attacked by acids or
aqua regia - but can be attacked by molten salts
such as NaCl or NaCN.
- It is very brittle making it difficult to work with.
- It is only a little less dense than osmium, the most dense element.
|
| Common Uses |
- High strength alloys that can withstand high temperatures
- Electrical contacts
- Hardening agent for platinum
- Crucibles
- Compass bearings
- LED technology
- Radiation therapy to treat prostate and other cancers
- Spark plus for internal combustion engines
- Fountain pen nibs
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