Other metals can be used in place of platinum and gold for radiopaque marker bands, including palladium-based alloys, tungsten, and tantalum. Each of these materials has advantages and disadvantages, usually based on how the radiopaque marker will be applied to the catheter. The end-user must balance the manufacturing costs, regulatory approval requirements, and strengths of the alternate materials.

Palladium alloys containing rhenium, a hardening agent, have found their way into the medical device industry. This occurred when the market price of elemental platinum spiked in the second half of 2008. The price of elemental palladium did not spike as much. While palladium is available in most product forms—including ribbon, sheet, tube, and wire—palladium rhenium alloys have been slow to catch on, since manufacturers find that it is not always cost-effective to requalify a new material. Meanwhile, the price of platinum has dropped back down to historical levels.

Another material, tungsten, is difficult to process, since it has very limited ductility. It has been used in the form of fine wire, ribbon, and powder, but it is not available in tubular form. It can be electrodischarge machined into tubes, but only in very short lengths, which greatly increases costs. However, tungsten’s limited ductility renders the material suitable for use in radiopaque marker bands.

Tantalum is less common than the other metals, and its availability is very limited. Recent changes in the U.S. and European markets have restricted the supply of tantalum, causing the metal to fall out of favor.