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Iridium reacts with oxygen at high temperatures forming valatile oxides, the evaporation of which considerably increases the iridium losses in oxygencontaining atmospheres, when compared with high-vacuum conditions. This paper describes investigations carried out to determine the metal losses from polycrystalline iridium discs, by means of a magnetic suspension balance, at low pressures and high temperatures. The results are presented and discussed, and a strong temperature and pressure dependence is noted.