Palladium/platinum alloy

Abstract

An alloy comprising 65-85% palladium by weight, 5-15% nickel by weight, and 5-20% platinum by weight is provided. The alloy may optionally contain up to 15% by weight a platinum group metal selected from osmium, ruthenium, rhodium, and iridium. The alloy exhibits a unique combination of strength, ductility, density, and opacity suitable for use as wire, tube, sheet, or foil products.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . An alloy comprising: 
 65-85% palladium by weight;    5-15% nickel by weight; and    5-20% platinum by weight.    
     
     
         2 . The alloy of  claim 1  wherein said nickel is present at 10-15% by weight.  
     
     
         3 . The alloy of  claim 1  further comprising, up to 15% by weight, a platinum group metal selected from the group consisting of osmium, ruthenium, rhodium, and iridium.  
     
     
         4 . The alloy of  claim 2  wherein said platinum group metal is selected from the group consisting of iridium, rhodium, and ruthenium.  
     
     
         5 . The alloy of  claim 1  wherein said alloy comprises 80% palladium by weight, 10% nickel by weight, and 10% platinum by weight.  
     
     
         6 . The alloy of  claim 1  wherein said alloy comprises 75% palladium by weight, 10% nickel by weight, and 15% platinum by weight.  
     
     
         7 . The alloy of  claim 3  wherein said alloy comprises 75% palladium by weight, 10% nickel by weight, 10% platinum by weight, and 5% iridium by weight.  
     
     
         8 . An alloy comprising: 
 65-85% palladium by weight;    5-15% nickel by weight;    5-20% platinum by weight; and    up to 15% by weight a platinum group metal selected from the group consisting of osmium, ruthenium, rhodium, and iridium.    
     
     
         9 . The alloy of  claim 8  wherein said nickel is present at 10-15% by weight.