Ruthenium pellet is one of the platinum group metals and has a silvery white color. The melting point is 2310℃, which is a refractory metal. The density is 12.2 g/cm3. Ruthenium is chemically stable at moderate temperatures, but when the temperature in the air rises above 450°C, the Ruthenium pellet will slowly oxidize to produce volatile ruthenium oxide, which is the same toxic substance as osmium oxide. Aqua regia, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid and phosphoric acid at 100°C cannot corrode ruthenium, but at the same temperature, potassium cyanide solution and mercury chloride solution can significantly corrode ruthenium. At 300°C, fluorine reacts with ruthenium to generate RuF5.

Ruthenium pellets are hard and brittle and difficult to process. Ruthenium and its alloys are mainly used as catalysts in the petrochemical industry. It can be used as anode coating in the electronic and electrical industry. Titanium anodes coated with ruthenium and platinum have replaced graphite anodes in electrolytic cells, which can improve efficiency and extend electrode life. Ruthenium pellets can be used to prepare wear-resistant hard alloys. The platinum ruthenium alloy can be used to color the spark plugs of aircraft engines, and can be used as the container lining when manufacturing optical glass.
Ruthenium pellet is an excellent catalyst used in hydrogenation, isomerization, oxidation and reforming reactions. Pure metal Ruthenium pellets are rarely used. It is an effective hardener for platinum and palladium. Use it to make electrical contact alloys, and hard-grind cemented carbides.