Galinstan
Galinstan is a brand name for an alloy composed of gallium, indium, and tin which melts at −19 °C (−2 °F) and is thus liquid at room temperature. In scientific literature, galinstan is also used to denote the eutectic alloy of gallium, indium, and tin, which melts at around +11 °C (52 °F). The commercial product Galinstan is not a eutectic alloy, but a near eutectic alloy. Additionally, it likely has added flux to improve flowability, to reduce melting temperature, and to reduce surface tension.
| Galinstan | |
|---|---|
Galinstan from a broken thermometer, appearing to wet a piece of glass | |
| Physical properties | |
| Density (ρ) | 6.44 g/cm3 (at 20 °C) |
| Thermal properties | |
| Melting temperature (Tm) | -19 °C |
| Specific heat capacity (c) | 296 J·kg−1·K−1 |
| Sources | |
Eutectic galinstan is composed of 68.5% Ga, 21.5% In, and 10.0% Sn (by weight).
Due to the low toxicity and low reactivity of its component metals, galinstan has replaced the toxic liquid mercury or the reactive alloy NaK in many applications.
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