Fusible Alloys

Low Melting Point Bismuth Based Alloys

Properties of Fusible Alloys

bulletThe chief component of Fusible Alloys is Bismuth, a heavy, coarse crystalline metal that expands when it solidifies. Water and Antimony also expand on freezing, but Bismuth expands much more than the former, namely 3.3% of its volume. When Bismuth is alloyed with other metals, such as Lead, Tin, and Cadmium, this expansion is modified according to the relative percentages of Bismuth and other components present. As a general rule, Bismuth alloys of approximately 50 percent Bismuth exhibit little change of volume during solidification. Alloys containing more than this tend to expand during solidification and those containing less tend to shrink during solidification.
bulletAfter solidification, alloys containing both Bismuth and Lead in optimum proportions grow in the solid state many hours afterwards. Bismuth alloys that do not contain Lead expand during solidification, with negligible shrinkage while cooling to room temperature.
bulletMost molten metals when solidified in moulds shrink and pull away from moulds, failing to reproduce fine mould detail. Because Fusible Alloys expand and push into mould detail when they solidify, they are excellent for duplication and reproduction processes. This characteristic of expansion and/or non-shrinkage, combined with low melting temperature and ease of handling, are the major reasons for their extensive use. A number of eutectic* and non-eutectic alloys have been standardized.
 

* The word "EUTECTIC" describes an alloy, which, like pure metals, has a single melting point. This melting point is usually lower than that of any of the constituent metals. Thus pure Tin melts at 450 °F and pure Bismuth at 520 °F but combined in proportion 42% Tin and 58% Bismuth, they form a Eutectic which melts at 281 °F.

  Eutectics Non-Eutectics
Properties Low Low Low Low Low Low Low
117 136 158 255 281 158-190 281-338
Melting Temperature (oF) 117 136 158 255 281 165 302
Range oF 117-117 136 158-158 255-255 281-281 158-190 281-338
Melting Temperature (oC) 47.2 57.8 70 124 138 72.5 150
Range oC 47.2 - 47.2 57.8 - 57.8 70 - 70 124 - 124 138 - 138 70 - 88 138- 170
Tensile Strength Lbs/In2 5400 6300 5990 6400 8000 5400 8000
Tensile Strength Kg/mm2 3.8 4.4 4.2 4.5 5.6 3.8 5.6
%Elongation in slow Loading 1.5 50 200 60-70 200 220 200
Brinell Hardness No. 12 14 9.2 10.2 22 9 22
*Specific Heat - Liquid/Solid .035 .032 .040 .035 .045 .040 .047

*Latent Heat - Fusion Btu/Lb.

6 8 14 7.2 20 10 22

Conductivity (Electrical)
Compared with Pure Copper

3.34% 2.43% 4.17% 1.75% 5.00% 4.27% 7.77%

*Maximum Load -
30 Seconds Lbs/In2

- - 10000 8000 15000 9000 15000

*Maximum Load -
 5 Minutes Lbs/In2 

- - 4000 4000 9000 3800 9500

*Safe Load Sustained - 
Lbs/In2

- - 300 300 500 300 50
*Approximate  
  
  

Eutectics

Non Eutectics

Growth/Shrinkage Time after Casting

Low Low Low Low Low Low Low
117 136 158 255 281 158-190 281-338
6 Minutes +.0002 +.0002 +.0027 -.0011 +.0007 -.0007 -.0001
30 Minutes .0000 +.0001 +.0045 -.0010 +.0006 -.0009 -.0001
1 Hour .0001 .0000 +.0051 -.0008 +.0006 .0000 -.0001
5 Hours -.0002 -.0002 +.0051 .0000 +.0005 +.0018 -.0001
1 Day -.0002 -.0002 +.0051 +.0008 +.0005 +.0022 -.0001
21 Days -.0002 -.0002 +.0057 +.0022 +.0005 +.0025 -.0001
bullet Cumulative Growth and Shrinkage, Inch per Inch Compared to Cold Mold Dimensions.
bullet Test Bar 2" x 2" x 10".
LOW 117
Typical End Use Yield Temp:  117°F (47°C) Density: 0.320 lb/in3(8.86g/cm3)
Bismuth  44.7%
Lead 22.6%
Tin 8.3%
Cadmium 5.3% Indium 19.1%
bullet  Proof Casting (Internal dimensions)
bullet  Jigging or fixturing delicate parts for machining, dental molds, prosthetic development work
bullet  Radiopaque contrast medium in X-ray
bullet  Fusible element in safety devices
bullet  Lens Blocking
bullet  Low temperature solder for Hobby applications
INDUSTRY EQUIVALENTS: AIM 47, AsarcoLo 117, CerroLOW117, Indalloy 117, Ostalloy 117
LOW 136
Typical End Use Yield Temp:  136°F (58°C) Density: 0.310 lb/in3(8.57g/cm3)
Bismuth  49%
Lead 16%
Tin 12%
Indium 21%
bullet  Anchor parts for machining (Jet blades)
bullet  Block lenses in optical manufacturing
bullet  Proof casting. testing and inspection
bullet  Fusible element in in fire sprinkler heads and other safety devices
bullet  Fusible cores on compound cores
bullet  Sealing adjustment screws.
bullet  Low temperature solder for Hobby applications
INDUSTRY EQUIVALENTS: AIM 58, AsarcoLo 136, CerroLOW136, Indalloy 136, Ostalloy 136
LOW 158
Typical End Use Yield Temp:  158°F (70°C) Density: 0.339 lb/in3(9.38g/cm3)
Bismuth  50%
Lead 26.7%
Tin 13.3%
Cadmium 10%
bullet  Anchor bushings in drill jigs
bullet  Internal or external support of delicate parts for machining
bullet  Cores for spinning
bullet  Fusible mandrels in filament winding.
bullet  Fiberglas lamination
bullet  Drop hammer and embossing dies
bullet  Tube bending filler (up to 1-3/4" diameter)
bullet  Heat transfer medium in processing plastics, chemicals, etc. (up to 255°F)
bullet  Shielding Blocks for Nuclear Medicine
INDUSTRY EQUIVALENTS: AIM 70, AsarcoLo 158, CerroBEND, Indalloy 158, Ostalloy 158
LOW 158-190
Typical End Use Yield Temp:  165°F (72.5°C) Density: 0.341 lb/in3(9.44g/cm3)
Bismuth 42.5%
Lead 37.7%
Tin 11.3%
Cadmium 8.5%
bullet Toy soldier casting
bullet Proof casting cavities (threads, dies, moulds, blind holes)
bullet Duplicate patterns in foundry match-plate making
bullet Supporting work pieces while machining
bullet Spray coating wood patterns
bullet  Masks for electroplating and spray-painting.
INDUSTRY EQUIVALENTS: AIM 70/88, AsarcoLo 158-190, CerroSAFE
LOW 203
Typical End Use Yield Temp:  203°F (95°C) Density: 0.350 lb/in3(9.85g/cm3)
Bismuth 52.5%
Lead 32%
Tin 15.5%
bullet

Cadmium Free alternative for LOW 158 for Nuclear Medicine.

INDUSTRY EQUIVALENTS: AIM Bi46, CerroSHIELD, Indalloy 42
LOW 255
Typical End Use Yield Temp:  255°F (124°C) Density: 0.380 lb/in3(10.27g/cm3)
Bismuth  55.5%
Lead 44.5%
bullet Anchor cutlery handles, inserts in wood, metal parts in glass (Tuflex doors)
bullet Make fusible spinning chucks
bullet Mandrel for electroforms
bullet Drop hammer dies, stretch form blocks
bullet Moulds for plaster, plastics
bullet Tube bending filler (over 1-3/4" diameter)
bullet Hydrodynamic forming, seamless fittings
bullet Duplicate patterns in pottery and foundry
bullet Liquid metal in autoclaves, heat-treating
bullet Heat transfer (Up to 327 °F)
bullet Shielding Blocks for Nuclear Medicine
INDUSTRY EQUIVALENTS: AIM 124, AsarcoLo 255, CerroBASE, Indalloy 255, Ostalloy 255
LOW 281
Typical End Use Yield Temp:  281°F (138°C) Density: 0.315 lb/in3(8.72g/cm3)
Bismuth 58%
Tin 42%
bullet Anchor shafts in permanent magnet rotors, locator members in aircraft assembly fixtures, metal parts in glass, magnets in fixtures
bullet Make nests for parts in jigs and dial feed stations
bullet Cores for electroforming
bullet Embossing dies, form blocks
bullet Joggle jaws
bullet Lost wax pattern dies
bullet Duplicate foundry patterns
bullet Tracer models in profiling
bullet Molds for plastics, sheet plastics, plastic teeth, prosthetic development
bullet Potting electronic components
bullet Laps for rifle barrels.
INDUSTRY EQUIVALENTS: AIM 138, AsarcoLo 281, CerroTRU, Indalloy 281, Ostalloy 281
LOW 281-338
Typical End Use Yield Temp:  302°F (150°C) Density: 0.296 lb/in3(8.20g/cm3)
Bismuth 40%
Tin 60%
bullet Parallels LOW 281 in its end uses
bullet Electroforming mandrels, lost wax pattern dies due to greater dimensional accuracy
bullet Holding jet turbine engine blades for machining.
INDUSTRY EQUIVALENTS:  AIM 138/170, CerroCAST, Ostalloy 281338

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