Platinum is a small but critical ingredient in many electronic devices because of its chemical stability, electrical behavior, and resistance to heat and corrosion[2]. These qualities make it useful in contacts, sensors, hard drive coatings, electrodes, and components for advanced display and glass manufacturing[2][1].
Why platinum is chosen for electronics
– Chemical inertness: platinum does not oxidize or corrode easily, so it keeps electrical contacts and sensors reliable over long periods[2].
– Thermal stability: platinum withstands high temperatures encountered during device fabrication and operation, so it is used where heat resistance matters, for example in thermocouples and furnace parts used to make glass for displays[2][1].
– Electrical and catalytic properties: platinum is a good electrical conductor and also an excellent catalyst, which is why platinized electrodes are used in reference electrodes and in some sensor and fuel cell applications that overlap with electronics and energy systems[2].
Common electronic uses
– Electrical contacts and connectors: small amounts of platinum or platinum alloys are used for contact tips and connectors in precision electronics because they resist wear and maintain low, stable contact resistance over many cycles[2].
– Hard disk drives and data storage: platinum alloys are widely used as magnetic or protective coatings on hard disk platters to enable higher storage densities and durability[1].
– Electrodes and sensors: laboratory electrodes, reference electrodes, and certain chemical and gas sensors use platinum or platinized surfaces because of the metal’s stability and predictable electrochemistry[2].
– Thermometers and thermocouples: platinum resistance thermometers exploit platinum’s well-characterized change in resistance with temperature, giving precise temperature measurement for industrial and electronic manufacturing processes[2].
– Glass and display production: platinum and platinum alloys are used in equipment and components that handle molten glass and produce high-quality glass substrates for LCD and other displays, because molten glass does not wet platinum and the metal resists erosion at high temperatures[1][2].
Where small quantities matter
Electronics typically use platinum in tiny amounts, but those small quantities are often essential for performance and longevity. For example, only a few grams or less may be present in a hard drive coating or in precision connectors, yet removing platinum would reduce reliability or limit device performance[1][2].
Tradeoffs and alternatives
Platinum is expensive and relatively rare, so manufacturers balance performance benefits against cost. Alternatives such as palladium, gold, and specialized alloys are used where cost or specific electrical properties favor them[3][7]. Palladium is commonly substituted in some connectors and plating applications because it offers good conductivity, corrosion resistance, and lower cost relative to platinum in certain use cases[3]. For catalytic and fuel-cell related electronic-chemical components, research seeks to reduce platinum loading or replace it with less costly materials while retaining required lifetimes and efficiencies[2][4].
Manufacturing and recycling considerations
Because electronics use small but valuable amounts of platinum, recovery and recycling from end-of-life devices is important for supply security and cost control. Recycling programs and urban-mining processes recover platinum-group metals from scrap electronics and automotive catalysts, helping to offset the limited primary supply and reduce reliance on new mining[4][6].
Emerging and overlapping applications
Platinum’s role extends into areas that overlap with electronics, such as fuel cell catalysts and hydrogen technologies integrated with electronic control systems, and components in high-end sensors and medical devices that combine electronic and biomedical functionality[2][4]. Growth in green hydrogen, fuel cells, and stricter emissions standards for vehicles also affects demand and innovation in how platinum is used across electronic and electrochemical systems[4][6].
Sources
https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/platinum-market
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platinum
https://www.jmbullion.com/investing-guide/facts/what-is-palladium-used-for/
https://www.imarcgroup.com/news/platinum-price-index
https://theoregongroup.com/commodities/platinum/palladiums-comeback-ev-slowdown-puts-the-metal-into-a-higher-gear/
https://goldsell.co.uk/what-is-platinum-used-for/
https://www.goldavenue.com/en/blog/newsletter-precious-metals-spotlight/should-you-consider-investing-in-platinum-and-palladium