Osmium

 

History

(Gr. osme, a smell) Discovered in 1803 by Tennant in the residue left when crude platinum is dissolved by aqua regia.

Sources

Osmium occurs in iridosule and in platinum-bearing river sands of the Urals, North America, and South America. It is also found in the nickel-bearing ores of Sudbury, Ontario region along with other platinum metals. While the quantity of platinum metals in these ores is very small, the large tonnages of nickel ores processed make commercial recovery possible.

Uses

The tetroxide has been used to detect fingerprints and to stain fatty tissue for miscroscope slides. The metal is almost entirely used to produce very hard alloys, with other metals of the platinum group, for fountain pen tips, instrument pivots, phonograph needles, and electrical contacts.

Cost

The price of 99% pure osmium powder - the form usually supplied commercially - is about $100/g, depending on quantity and supplier.

 

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