RUTHENIUM - precision density-standard cube 10x10x10mm
Estimated production time ~ 3 weeks after placing the order - Free Laser engraving in all languages possible.
Using finest materials, each density cube was lapped to 10x10x10mm (tolerance + 0.01mm) by a famous company especialized in noble metals. Each one separately ground and polished it represents the theoretical density of the respective element by its weight. The weight is not affected by the laser inscription. Information such as element symbol, name and density is durable burned at the surface. Altogether 25 elements are planned in a complete set in a wooden case.
Here you find pictures and the complete description of the set!
Ruthenium was initially discovered in 1808 by J.A. Sniadecki at the University of Vilno, Poland and then again by G.W. Osnann in 1828 at the University of Tartu, Russia.
Ruthenium is a rare member of the platinum group of metals (abundance 0.001 ppm in the earth's crust). It is a lustrous, silvery colored metal which is unaffected by air, water and acids, but is soluble in fused alkalis. Extraction of the metal is achieved by several techniques; for example, extraction of the mixed platinum group metals by dissolution in aqua regia, followed by treatment of the various soluble and insoluble fractions.
Applications of the metal are limited; as a pure metal, ruthenium is extremely hard and brittle and, consequently, difficult to machine. It is relatively unreactive, and is used as an alloying element with platinum and palladium to produce alloys which have improved wear resistance, and with titanium to improve the material's corrosion resistance. In all cases, the ruthenium addition has to be less than 15%, otherwise the resultant alloy is too hard to work.
