keemiline element, plaatinametall, hõbevalge rabe ja väga kõva metall, sulamistemperatuur 2446 ºC, tihedus 22,65 Mg/m3
a silvery-white, hard, brittle, very heavy metallic element of the platinum group and group VIII that occurs usually as a native alloy with platinum or with osmium in iridosmine
Iridium is chiefly used in the form of platinum alloys. Platinum-iridium alloys (5 to 10 percent iridium) are readily workable metals that are much harder and stiffer and more resistant to chemical attack than the soft pure platinum. Such alloys are used for jewelry, pen points, surgical pins and pivots, and electrical contacts and sparking points.
