Low Melting Point Alloys

Base Alloy

Base alloy is one of the eutectics, i.e. it has a sharp melting point (124°C). Unlike bend alloy, tool alloy and press alloy, which expand immediately on solidification, base Alloy first shrinks and then grows slowly, reaching the dimensions of the mould some 5 – 7 hours after casting. This characteristic is of value since castings can be removed easily from the mould and measurements taken accurately when the casting has reached mould dimensions. It is also useful as a bending medium instead of bend alloy where the latter’s expansion characteristic is too great.

Base alloy is manufactured from virgin metals and is guaranteed to give complete satisfaction under normal working conditions.

Bend Alloy

This alloy, one of the group of low melting point (fusible) alloys, based on bismuth metal, is the most widely used in industry. One of its chief characteristics is expansion on solidification from the molten state, making it ideal for the support of thin-walled metal tubing during bending operations. It has a sharp melting point of 70°C and can therefore be melted by hot water.

Casting Alloy

This alloy is one of the most interesting in the range of low melting point bismuth based alloys. On solidification from the molten state and thereafter, it exhibits practically no dimensional change. This is unlike other bismuth alloys, most of which expand whilst a few contract on ageing.

H.G. Casting Alloy is manufactured from virgin metals and is guaranteed to give complete satisfaction under normal working conditions.

Lens Alloy

H.G. Lens alloy is one of an interesting range of bismuth-based alloys to which the element indium is added to give a substantially lower melting point. Lens alloy is eutectic, i.e. it has a sharp melting point, in this case on 58°C. At this low temperature it has proved ideal for use as a holding medium or ‘button’ in lens grinding and is rapidly replacing pitch previously used. It is easily melted and having extremely stable characteristics, can be re-used repeatedly.

Press Alloy

H.G. Press alloy is one of the eutectics, i.e. it has a sharp melting point (138°C) and like the majority of bismuth based alloys it expands on solidification. This material is free flowing and its versatility makes it a unique tool in a great variety of industries. Its low melting point ensures easy and safe handling and under normal conditions it can be re-used almost indefinitely.

Press alloy is manufactured from virgin metals and is guaranteed to give complete satisfaction under normal working conditions.

Tool Alloy

Tool alloy, one of the well known group of low-melting point bismuth based alloys, is solid below 100°C and liquid at about 230°C. Unlike eutectic alloys, tool alloy exhibits plasticity in the temperature range between 100°C and 230°C . It expands on solidification and in this respect is unique as an anchoring medium.

H.G. Tool alloy is manufactured from virgin metals and is guaranteed to give complete satisfaction under normal working conditions.