Scientific experiments aim to be as precise and as accurate as possible. It is important to have the correct procedures down using the right equipment and tools. Needless to say, having the exact amount of substances to be tested is also preferred. In these cases, procuring these metals is almost a necessity.
For common folk, the term high purity metals may likely draw a blank. Nevertheless, these materials can make or break an entire research or study.
Importance of Purity in Metals
For common household materials like shampoo and bleach, a 99.9% guarantee might not mean as much as a 99.9% guarantee on a high purity metal needed in research. While there are circumstances that do not require stringent limitations, metal contamination is a real concern.
Reagent, Laboratory and Technical Grades
Chemical grades are often used to gauge the purity of a substance. In general, there three types of chemical grades based on the strictness of their definition of purity.
- Reagent Grade
Out of the three types of chemical grades, reagent grade high purity metals are produced near the highest measure of purity. Because of this, reagent grade materials are considered ideal for most types of scientific experiments. - Laboratory Grade
Laboratory grade materials are used for less-sensitive studies. Often, this type of chemical is used in larger volume which is why purity is not put into premium. - Technical Grade
Outside of reagent and laboratory grade materials, technical grade substances are the lowest in the grade totem pole. These objects often possess significant impurities that can deter an experiment. More often than not, they are used for industrial or commercial projects.
Uses of High Purity Metals
A high purity metal is used in a wide array of industries. For instance, these types of metals are utilized as semiconductors for electronics.Moreover, because of the pure nature of these substances, they are often seen being used for biomedical and dental products, including metal implants. Lenses and optical fibers also benefit from the use of these metals. For optical products, pure amounts of these metals can manipulate light in a more precise manner.