Has anyone played with Galinstan?

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Galinstan is an alloy of gallium, indium and tin used as a non-toxic mercury substitute.

Although there is a commercial alloy that melts at -11C (supposedly with a couple of other trace ingredients) the standard eutectic alloy melts at 9C.

I can imagine various uses of this, rather like woods metal, etc. but also the potential for unusual projects such as making tilt sensors or electric motors that work by dipping wires into a pool of molten metal at room temperature without the health risks of using mercury.

Has anyone had experience of this alloy?

Neil

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

[Andrew TinsleyParticipant @andrewtinsley63637]

Hello Neil,

I (and others) have used Indium Gallium eutectic as a means of making good contact with electrical probes on doped semiconductor material It basically reduces contact resistance to very low levels.

Andrew.

[Ian PParticipant @ianp]

I can see uses as you suggest for electrical contact purposes but it would be rather expensive as a Woods metal substitute (assuming it was available). I could only find very small quantities when I searched just now but no one seems to have any stock.

Ian P

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Uses I have found include finishing optical flats and its lack of surface tension seems to be as desirable as other properties.

The cheapest way to get a (very) small amount seems to be buying a thermometer from Spain!

Neil

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