The platinum electrolyte Platuna PT is particularly suitable for medical technology applications, as the manufacturer Umicore MDS has now announced in a press release, referring to a significant increase in inquiries.
It is suitable for sensors for pH, glucose, oxygen or ECG measurement, for example, because the coated surface improves the signal quality. In addition, the high electrical conductivity and chemical inertness ensure reliable measurement results even in long-term applications in the body. The electrolyte is also used for coated implants in pacemakers or neurostimulators or as corrosion protection for connecting elements in medical devices.
The precious metal platinum offers the properties of chemical inertness, corrosion resistance, biocompatibility, temperature and dimensional stability as well as electrical conductivity. However, the quality of the coating is important for the full development of the properties, according to Umicore.
The deposited layers consist of 99.9 percent platinum, are high-gloss, crack-free and have a density of 21.4 g/cm³. The hardness is around 350 HV. The electrolyte is less aggressive towards the substrate to be coated and enables easier application on sensitive or supposedly non-activatable materials. Deposition takes place at a speed of around 0.13 µm/min at 5 A/dm² - regardless of the current density. Up to 50 µm are possible.
