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). It is named after its inventor, Simon Quellen Field.[1] It is a eutectic alloy of bismuth, indium, and tin, with the following percentages by weight: 32.5% Bi, 51% In, 16.5% Sn.
When prepared, Field's metal can be melted in hot water. 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 will still cause 3rd degree burns extremely quickly.[2]
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.
Similar alloys
| Alloy | Melting point | Eutectic? | Bismuth | Lead | Tin | Indium | Cadmium | 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% |
See also
References
- ↑ Desktop Foundry | Make:
- ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-09-13. Retrieved 2014-09-12.