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Properties of Metals - Metallurgy
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Iridium 
Atomic Number: 77 
Symbol: Ir 
Atomic Weight: 192.22 
Discovery: S.Tenant, A.F.Fourcory, L.N.Vauquelin, H.V.Collet-Descoltils 1803/1804 (England/France) 
Electron Configuration: [Xe] 6s2 4f14 5d7 
Word Origin: Latin iris rainbow, because the salts of iridium are highly colored 
Properties: Iridium has a melting point of 2410 C, boiling point of 4130 C, specific gravity of 22.42 (17 C), and valence of 3 or 4. A member of the platinum family, iridium is white like platinum, but with a slight yellowish cast. The metal is very hard and brittle and is the most corrosion resistant metal known. Iridium is not attacked by acids or aqua regia, but it is attacked by molten salts, including NaCl and NaCN. Either iridium or osmium is the densest known element, but the data do not allow for selection between the two. 
Uses: The metal is used for hardening platinum. It is used in crucibles and other applications requiring high temperatures. Iridium is combined with osmium to form an alloy used in compass bearings and for tipping pens. Iridium is also used for electrical contacts and in the jewellery industry. 
Sources: Iridium occurs in nature uncombined or with platinum and other related metals in alluvial deposits. It is recovered as a by-product from the nickel mining industry. 
Element Classification: Transition Metal 
Density (g/cc): 22.42 
Melting Point (K): 2683 
Boiling Point (K): 4403 
Appearance: white, brittle metal 
Atomic Radius (pm): 136 
Atomic Volume (cc/mol): 8.54 
Covalent Radius (pm): 127 
Ionic Radius: 68 (+4e) 
Specific Heat (@20 C J/g mol): 0.133 
Fusion Heat (kJ/mol): 27.61 
Evaporation Heat (kJ/mol): 604 
Debye Temperature (K): 430.00 
Pauling Negativity Number: 2.20 
First Ionizing Energy (kJ/mol): 868.1 
Oxidation States: 6, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0, -1 
Lattice Structure: Face-Centered Cubic 
Lattice Constant ( ): 3.840 
References: Los Alamos National Laboratory (2001), Crescent Chemical Company (2001), Lange's Handbook of Chemistry (1952), CRC Handbook of Chemistry & Physics (18th Ed.)
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