 In the laboratory , platinum wire is used for electrodes ; platinum pans and supports are used in thermogravimetric analysis because of the stringent requirements of chemical inertness upon heating to high temperatures ( ~ 1000 ° C ) . Platinum is used as an alloying agent for various metal products , including fine wires , noncorrosive laboratory containers , medical instruments , dental prostheses , electrical contacts , and thermocouples . Platinum @-@ cobalt , an alloy of roughly three parts platinum and one part cobalt , is used to make relatively strong permanent magnets . Platinum @-@ based anodes are used in ships , pipelines , and steel piers . 
