Uses & Applications

Applications and End-Uses for Iridium

Iridium (Ir) is a high-criticality platinum group metal with annual global production of approximately 7.5 tonnes. Iridium is the most corrosion-resistant metal known and one of the rarest elements in the Earth's crust. It is essential for growing single crystals used in electronics, spark plugs for helicopters and aircraft, and increasingly in proton exchange membrane electrolyzers for green hydrogen production. South Africa dominates global supply as iridium is a co-product of platinum mining.

Key Applications

The primary end-uses of Iridium span multiple sectors. The following applications represent the most significant sources of global demand:

• Spark plugs for aviation - Key alternatives include Platinum-tipped plugs. Iridium plugs offer longer life and better performance but platinum plugs are adequate for most applications
• Electrochemical catalysts - Iridium is valued in electrochemical catalysts for its unique physical and chemical properties that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.
• Crucibles for crystal growth - Key alternatives include Molybdenum, tungsten (for some crystal types). Iridium is the only material that withstands the temperatures and conditions required for growing large sapphire crystals (for LED substrates) and certain semiconductor crystals
• Hydrogen electrolysis - Iridium is valued in hydrogen electrolysis for its unique physical and chemical properties that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.

Product Forms and Specifications

Iridium is commercially available in 4 primary product forms, each serving different industrial requirements:

Demand Outlook

Iridium appears on both the USGS Critical Minerals List and the EU Critical Raw Materials List, underscoring its strategic importance across Western economies. Growing demand from electrification, digitalization, and defense modernization is expected to place additional pressure on the Iridium supply chain through the end of this decade.