Ruthenium is a rare, hard, and corrosion-resistant metal used in alloys, wear-resistant parts, and electronic components. It is found in nature with platinum and is mostly produced in Russia and South America. It has potential medical uses but may also be carcinogenic and toxic.
Ruthenium is a fairly rare metallic chemical element in the earth’s crust. It has a number of applications, most of which take advantage of its corrosion resistance and hardness, in products such as metal alloys. Most people don’t interact directly with this metal, although some luxuries like platinum rings and fancy fountain pens do include small amounts of it. It is moderately expensive in pure form and the majority of the world’s supply is produced from mines in Russia and South America.
In appearance, ruthenium is a dull silver-gray element that tends to be very brittle and extremely hard. It has four allotropic forms, which means that it has four different crystalline structures in its pure form, depending on various conditions such as exposure to heat, pressure and air. When exposed to air and high temperatures, the pure element will oxidize rapidly. The metal is also highly resistant to acids and forms a number of compounds with other materials. On the periodic table of elements, ruthenium is labeled with the symbol Ru and has an atomic number of 44.
Several people claim the discovery of ruthenium. Credit is generally attributed to a Russian chemist, Karl Klaus, who successfully isolated it from impure platinum ores. He named the element after the Latin word Ruthenia, which was used to describe Rus, an early form of the Russian Empire that stretched across parts of Eastern Europe and modern Russia. Since Klaus came from Eastern Europe, he wanted to celebrate his homeland in his name for his successful discovery.
Alloys of metals such as platinum and palladium often feature ruthenium for strength and durability. The metal is also used to make wear-resistant moving parts for various consumer goods and appears in some electronic components. In nature this element is usually associated with platinum, and it is rare to find it in pure form. Some purification systems also use ruthenium components, and medical researchers have been exploring the use of compounds that include it in the treatment of cancer.
Studies on this metal suggest that it may be carcinogenic. It also bioaccumulates, meaning it builds up in a person’s system as the body has no way to process it. The pure element will also stain skin if handled directly. Some compounds and oxides are toxic and must be handled with care to avoid exposure.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
