Field's_metal
Field's metal
Fusible alloy made of a eutectic of bismuth, indium, and tin
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.