Precious metals are materials that are scarce in the environment, have low chemical reactivity, and high value. This group includes gold, silver, and platinum group metals (Pt, Ir, Os, Pd, Rh, Ru).
The combination of good electrical properties with low reactivity makes precious metals excellent choices for demanding applications such as semiconductor bonding, accurate temperature measurement at elevated temperatures, and stability in harsh environments. Precious metals can be found in aerospace instruments, Cochlear Implants, catheters, pacemakers, and monitoring equipment. Platinum wire is sometimes specified for high temperature semiconductors. Many catheters contain platinum marker bands and guide wires, which are used to help surgeons, guide the device to the treatment site, and are easily seen on Xrays and Fluoroscopes.
California Fine Wire maintains and extensive inventory of precious metals for those applications and many others. If you are looking for precision Round Wire, Flat Wire, Stranded Wire, or Coated Wire, California Fine Wire can serve your needs.
Gold ribbon wire is frequently used in critical semiconductor applications where over heating is prevented by dissipating heat over the larger surface area. Flat wire can also provide greater integral strength.
Silver wire is an option for highspeed applications, because of its high electrical conductivity and good solderability. Gold wire is used for bonding wire because of its strength, corrosion resistance, and good conductivity.