Chemistry:Field's metal
Field's metal, also known as Field's alloy, is a fusible alloy that becomes liquid at approximately 62 °C (144 °F).[1] It is named after its inventor, Simon Quellen Field.[2] It is a eutectic alloy of bismuth, indium, and tin, with the following mass fractions: 32.5% Bi, 51% In, 16.5% Sn.[3]
When prepared, Field's metal can be melted in hot water. Field's metal is costly because its major component indium is expensive, priced at around double the price of silver.[4] Because it includes neither lead nor cadmium, it is much less toxic than Wood's metal. It can be used for small-run die casting and rapid prototyping.[5]
This alloy has been investigated as a possible liquid metal coolant in advanced nuclear power system designs.[6] Field's metal is also of interest to nanotechnology researchers.[7][8]
Although it is much less dangerous to use than other commonly melted metals, such as lead or aluminium, contact with Field's metal in the liquid state can cause third-degree burns. Indium has also been associated with Indium lung in workers frequently exposed to indium processing.
Similar alloys
| Alloy | Melting point | Eutectic? | Bismuth | Lead | Tin | Indium | Cadmium | Thallium|Thallium | Gallium | Antimony |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rose's metal | 98 °C (208 °F) | no | 50% | 25% | 25% | – | – | – | – | – |
| Cerrosafe | 74 °C (165 °F) | no | 42.5% | 37.7% | 11.3% | – | 8.5% | – | – | – |
| Wood's metal | 70 °C (158 °F) | yes | 50% | 26.7% | 13.3% | – | 10% | – | – | – |
| Field's metal | 62 °C (144 °F) | yes | 32.5% | – | 16.5% | 51% | – | – | – | – |
| Cerrolow 136 | 58 °C (136 °F) | yes | 49% | 18% | 12% | 21% | – | – | – | – |
| Cerrolow 117 | 47.2 °C (117 °F) | yes | 44.7% | 22.6% | 8.3% | 19.1% | 5.3% | – | – | – |
| Bi-Pb-Sn-Cd-In-Tl | 41.5 °C (107 °F) | yes | 40.3% | 22.2% | 10.7% | 17.7% | 8.1% | 1.1% | – | – |
| Galinstan | −19 °C (−2 °F) | yes | <1.5% | – | 9.5-10.5% | 21-22% | – | – | 68-69% | <1.5% |
References
- ↑ Acton, Q. A. (2013). Heavy Metals—Advances in Research and Application: 2013 Edition. Scholarly Editions. p. 378. ISBN 978-1-4816-7634-2. https://books.google.com/books?id=EApKNK8JksEC&pg=PA378. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
- ↑ "Desktop Foundry". Make. 13 November 2013. https://makezine.com/projects/make-36-boards/desktop-foundry/.
- ↑ Scherer, M. R. J. (2013). Double-Gyroid-Structured Functional Materials: Synthesis and Applications. Springer Theses. Springer International Publishing. p. 182. ISBN 978-3-319-00354-2. https://books.google.com/books?id=FS9EAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA182. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
- ↑ Field, S. Q. (2003). Gonzo Gizmos: Projects and Devices to Channel Your Inner Geek. Chicago Review Press. p. 165. ISBN 978-1-56976-678-1. https://books.google.com/books?id=t-N1KdTb0FwC&pg=PA165. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
- ↑ "Field's Metal, 144 °F, 62 °C Low Melting Alloy". https://www.belmontmetals.com/product/fields-metal/. "Field’s metal is expensive due to the price of indium, which makes up over half its mass. However, as it contains neither lead nor cadmium, it is a less toxic alternative to Wood’s metal. It is used for die casting and rapid prototyping."
- ↑ Lipschitz, A.; Harvel, G.; Sunagawa, T. (May 2015). "Experimental Investigation of the Thermal Conductivity and Viscosity of Liquid In-Bi-Sn Eutectic Alloy Field Metal for use in a Natural Circulation Experimental Loop". 23rd International Conference on Nuclear Engineering, at Chiba, Japan. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/287644823. Retrieved December 22, 2018.
- ↑ Rudolf, Maik; Scherer, Johann (2013). Double-Gyroid-Structured Functional Materials: Synthesis and Applications. Springer Science+Business Media. pp. 182. ISBN 9783319003542. https://books.google.com/books?id=FS9EAAAAQBAJ&dq=Field%27s+alloy&pg=PA182.
- ↑ Lin, Zhiqun; Wang, Jun (2014). Low-cost Nanomaterials: Toward Greener and More Efficient Energy Applications. Springer Science+Business Media. pp. 471. ISBN 9781447164739. https://books.google.com/books?id=q1wgBAAAQBAJ&dq=Field%27s+metal&pg=PA471.
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