Galinstan

Galinstan is a brand name for an <a href="/facts/Alloy/I7w7WQWR">alloy</a> composed of <a href="/facts/Gallium/EucevDs9">gallium</a>, <a href="/facts/Indium/zRq3stVb">indium</a>, and <a href="/facts/Tin/obW9mqc3">tin</a> which melts at −19 °C (−2 °F) and is thus liquid at room temperature. In scientific literature, galinstan is also used to denote the <a href="/facts/Eutectic_system/UFbecnqo">eutectic</a> 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.
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 <a href="/facts/Mercury_(element)/WlxfoHva">mercury</a> or the reactive alloy <a href="/facts/NaK/09HKRf44">NaK</a> in many applications such as bulb thermometers and high-temperature heat exchangers.

Galinstan open-in-new

Galinstan