Part of the periodic table with atomic number 44, ruthenium is commonly found in platinum ore, a shiny silver metal that oxidizes when exposed to air at 800°C, and a rare transition metal. Ruthenium is an excellent catalyst for hydrogenation, isomerization, oxidation and reforming reactions. The pure metal ruthenium has very few uses. It is an effective hardener for platinum and palladium. It is used to manufacture electrical contact alloys, as well as hard grinding carbides.

Uses of Ruthenium: Ruthenium is hard and brittle, making it difficult to process. Uses of Ruthenium Ruthenium and its alloys are mainly used as catalysts in the petrochemical industry. It can be used as anode coating in the electrical and electronic industry. Titanium anodes coated with ruthenium and platinum have replaced graphite anodes in electrolyzers, increasing efficiency and extending electrode life. Ruthenium can prepare wear-resistant cemented carbide. Platinum-ruthenium alloys can be used to color spark plugs in aircraft engines, and can be used as container linings in the manufacture of optical glass.