What is Osmiridium used for?
Osmium is an extremely heavy silver-blue metal in the world. It is more specifically, a transition metal element that belongs to the platinum metals roup of elements. Osmium has one of the highest melting and boiling points. It has the lowest vapor pressure among the members of platinum group.
The key uses of osmium include the following:
Osmium is used to add hardness to alloys. Osmium alloys are used in making hard and high-wear items, including instrument pivots, tips of fountain pen, compasses and electrical contacts.
Osmium tetroxide can be used to stain fatty tissue for microscope slides and to detect fingerprints.
Osmium tetroxide is used in electron microscopy for staining of fatty tissues. It is used in transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for biological studies.
Osmium is used as a catalyst for reactions, including in the production of ammonia.
