Aerospace & Aeronautics Materials
Aerospace Precious Metals
Precious Metals for Aeronautics
Gold Silver Platinum for Aerospace
Aerospace Precious Metal Supplier UK
High Temperature Precious Metal Alloys for Jet Engines
Cookson Industrial supplies high-purity precious metals and engineered alloys for mission-critical aerospace and aeronautics applications. From aircraft systems to deep-space hardware, our materials are designed for reliability where failure is not an option.
As a UK manufacturer and global supplier, we provide precision-made metals in strip, wire, tubing, rods, sheet, powders and custom forms to support advanced aerospace programmes.
High-Performance Precious Metals for Extreme Environments
The aerospace industry relies on precious metals such as platinum, palladium, rhodium, silver and gold for components that must withstand extreme temperature, pressure, electrical load and corrosive atmospheres. These materials ensure consistent performance in locations where maintenance is difficult and reliability is critical.
Why Precious Metals Matter in Aerospace
High Electrical and Thermal Conductivity
Precious metals such as gold, silver and palladium provide excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, making them ideal for connectors, PCBs, sensors and power systems that must perform reliably under high load and over long service lives.
Outstanding Catalytic Activity
Platinum, palladium and rhodium offer exceptional catalytic properties, supporting key aerospace systems such as emissions control, fuel cells and other reaction-based technologies used in propulsion and onboard power.
Superior Corrosion and Oxidation Resistance
In aerospace environments exposed to moisture, fuel, exhaust gases and temperature cycling, precious metals resist corrosion and oxidation, helping protect critical contacts, coatings and structural interfaces from degradation.
Stability at Extreme Temperatures
Precious metals remain stable at very high temperatures and perform reliably in vacuum and low-pressure conditions, which is essential for components used in jet engines, hot-section assemblies and space hardware.
Proven Reliability in Harsh Operating Environments
With a long history of use in demanding aerospace systems, precious metals are trusted for their consistent performance over millions of cycles, reducing the risk of failure in mission-critical avionics, propulsion and control systems. These combined properties make precious metals essential in jet engines, avionics, communication systems, fuel cells, sensors, high-stress structures and spacecraft propulsion systems.
Key Precious Metals & Aerospace Applications
Gold Applications
Gold Alloy Applications
Gold is prized in aerospace for its conductivity and corrosion resistance. Common uses include electrical connectors and switches, conductive PCB coatings, corrosion-resistant contacts and relays, and high-temperature brazing alloys. It delivers reliable performance even after prolonged vibration, thermal cycling and harsh environmental exposure.
Silver Applications
Silver Alloy Applications
Silver is used wherever maximum conductivity and heat transfer are required. It is found in thermal control coatings, heat dissipation layers, high-conductivity wiring, and microwave or RF components, helping manage temperature and signal integrity in demanding
aerospace systems.
Platinum Applications
Platinum Alloy Applications
Platinum is critical in areas exposed to extreme heat and corrosive gases.
It is used in fuel cell catalysts, jet engine components, high-temperature coatings, and temperature-sensing elements where long-term
stability is essential.
Palladium Applications
Palladium Alloy Applications
Palladium supports advanced electronics and energy systems, including sensors and resistors, aircraft spark plugs, fuel cell systems, and
hydrogen detection devices. It performs reliably in high-frequency, high-temperature environments.
Additional Aerospace Uses for Precious Metals
Precious metals also play a key role in:
- High-Performance precious metal component for luxury aviation
- Electronics and PCB finishes
- Connectors, relays and wiring harnesses
- High-pressure nozzles and valve components
- High-pressure turbine blades and guide vanes with platinum coatings
- Gold and palladium brazing alloys for high-temperature joints
- Heat exchangers and cooling lines
- Space thrusters and propulsion assemblies
These components rely on materials that remain stable and wear-resistant over millions of operational cycles.
Aerospace Manufacturing Capabilities
Sheet and Strip
Wire and Rod
Tube
Sputtering Targets
Atomised Powder
Custom-Engineered Geometries
Why Choose Cookson Industrial?
Full In-House Capability
From alloy design and 3D printing to casting, finishing, and lab testing — all handled at our Birmingham facility.
Heritage & Craftsmanship
Over 100 years of experience in precious metals, combining traditional mastery with modern precision.
Confidentiality & Precision
Discretion and control for limited or one-of-one projects.
Customisation Options
We can develop tailor-made projects in precious metal. If you can think it, we can craft it.
Sustainability & Traceability
Responsibly sourced materials and closed-loop recycling for sustainable products.