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Concept
Galinstan
Summary
Galinstan (R) is a brand name for an alloy composed of gallium, indium, and tin which melts at and is thus liquid at room temperature. However, it is not a eutectic alloy but a near eutectic alloy. In scientific literature, galinstan is also used as an acronym denoting the eutectic composition of the alloy of Ga-In-Sn, which melts at around . The composition of both alloys is roughly the same, albeit the Galinstan (R), a company's commercial technical product, likely has added flux to improve flowability, to reduce melting temperature, and to reduce surface tension. Thus, the physical properties of the Galinstan (R) and the pure eutectic alloy EGaInSn differ slightly.
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, in many applications, galinstan has replaced the toxic liquid mercury or the reactive NaK (sodium–potassium alloy).
The name "Galinstan" is a portmanteau of gallium, indium, and stannum (Latin for "tin"). The brand name "Galinstan" is a registered trademark of the German company Geratherm.
Boiling point: > 1300 °C
Vapour pressure: < 10−8 Torr (at 500 °C)
Solubility: Insoluble in water or organic solvents
Viscosity: 0.0024 Pa·s (at 20 °C)
Thermal conductivity: 16.5 W·m−1·K−1
Electrical conductivity: 3.46×106 S/m (at 20 °C)
Surface tension: s = 0.535–0.718 N/m (at 20 °C, dependent on producer)
In the presence of oxygen at concentrations above 1 ppm, the surface of bulk galinstan oxidizes to Ga2O3. Unlike mercury, galinstan tends to wet and adheres to many materials, including glass, due to its surface oxide. This can limit its use as a direct replacement material in some situations, but can also be utilized in some situations.
The non-toxic galinstan replaces mercury in thermometers; the tube interior must be coated with gallium oxide to prevent it from wetting the glass.
Galinstan has higher reflectivity and lower density than mercury. In astronomy, it can replace mercury in liquid-mirror telescopes.
Official source
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