The element is silvery white with a metallic luster; its density is exceeded only by that of platinum, iridium, and osmium, and its melting point is exceeded only by that of tungsten and carbon.
The usual commercial form of the element is powder, but it can be consolidated by pressing and resistance-sintering in a vacuum or hydrogen atmosphere.
Melting point: 3186 °C Boiling point: 5596 °C
A foil is a thin sheet of pure metal. Given its fragile nature, some foils have protective coatings.
