What is galinstan?

Galinstan is a brand name for a specific eutectic alloy that is used as a replacement for mercury in thermometers and other applications. It is composed of gallium, indium, and tin, with the proportions typically being 68.5% gallium, 21.5% indium, and 10% tin.

One of the main advantages of galinstan is that it is non-toxic and poses much lower health and environmental risks compared to mercury. It also has a low vapor pressure, meaning it does not evaporate into the air as easily as mercury, reducing the risk of inhalation.

Galinstan has a low freezing point of around -19 degrees Celsius, making it suitable for use in a wide range of temperature measurement applications. It is also a good conductor of electricity and can be used in thermal management systems, such as in cooling systems for electronics.

Overall, galinstan is a safer and environmentally-friendly alternative to mercury in various applications where a low-toxicity liquid metal is needed.