Bismuth is a heavy metal that has similar qualities to lead, it also has a low melting point and a low level of electrical and thermal conductivity. Bismuth is also classed as diamagnetic, meaning that it is repelled by a magnetic field.
When combined with other metals, bismuth helps to create low melting point alloys that are used in fire extinguishers and detectors. Because of their similar qualities, bismuth can also be used as a replacement for lead in some applications.
Bismuth is a chemical element with the symbol Bi and atomic number 83. It is a brittle metal that is typically silvery-white with a pinkish tinge. Bismuth is one of the least abundant stable elements in the Earth's crust, but it can be found in small amounts in minerals such as bismuthinite and bismite.
Bismuth has several interesting properties. It has a relatively low melting point, making it one of the few metals that can be easily melted and moulded at home. When bismuth solidifies, it forms distinctive colourful oxide layers on its surface, resulting in a unique iridescent appearance. This property has made bismuth popular in the production of decorative items and jewellery. Bismuth is also known for its diamagnetic properties, meaning it repels magnetic fields. This characteristic allows bismuth to be used in certain applications, such as in sensitive measuring instruments, as it won't be affected by external magnetic fields.
Additionally, bismuth has found applications in various industries. It is used as an additive in some types of low-melting-point alloys, as a component in certain types of solder, and as a substitute for lead in some materials due to its low toxicity. Bismuth compounds are also used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and pigments.
From a biological perspective, bismuth has been used in medicinal applications. Bismuth subsalicylate, for example, is commonly used in over-the-counter medications to treat digestive issues, such as diarrhoea, indigestion, and heartburn.
Overall, bismuth is a fascinating element with unique physical and chemical properties that make it valuable in various applications, ranging from industry to art and medicine.
Average particle size:
Pure bismuth 10micron +. It is also available in coarser lump material.
Qualities:
Pure bismuth is the most diamagnetic of all metals, and thermal conductivity is lower than any metal except mercury providing high electrical resistance.
Applications:
Bismuth is a popular substitute for lead in radiation shielding blankets and is used as an alloying element in lead-based low melting point alloys. Bismuth is also commonly used in thermoelectric materials and infrared spectrometers.
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