Rose's metal
Encyclopedia
Rose's metal, Rose metal or Rose's alloy is a fusible alloy
with a low melting point
.
, 25–28% lead
and 22–25% tin
; its melting point is 100 °C (212 °F). The alloy does not contract on cooling.
. It was used to secure cast iron railings and balusters in pockets in stone bases and steps. Its other uses are similar to Wood's metal
. Rose's metal can also be used for bending of tubes (when the tube is filled with molten metal, solidified, bent, and then the metal is remelted and poured out), and as a heat transfer medium in constant temperature baths. The hot baths with Rose's and Wood's metals are usually not in routine use and are employed for temperatures above 220 °C.
, the grandfather of Heinrich Rose
.
Fusible alloy
A fusible alloy is a metal alloy capable of being easily fused, i.e. easily meltable, at relatively low temperatures. Fusible alloys are commonly, but not necessarily, eutectic alloys....
with a low melting point
Melting point
The melting point of a solid is the temperature at which it changes state from solid to liquid. At the melting point the solid and liquid phase exist in equilibrium. The melting point of a substance depends on pressure and is usually specified at standard atmospheric pressure...
.
Properties
Rose's metal consists of 50% bismuthBismuth
Bismuth is a chemical element with symbol Bi and atomic number 83. Bismuth, a trivalent poor metal, chemically resembles arsenic and antimony. Elemental bismuth may occur naturally uncombined, although its sulfide and oxide form important commercial ores. The free element is 86% as dense as lead...
, 25–28% lead
Lead
Lead is a main-group element in the carbon group with the symbol Pb and atomic number 82. Lead is a soft, malleable poor metal. It is also counted as one of the heavy metals. Metallic lead has a bluish-white color after being freshly cut, but it soon tarnishes to a dull grayish color when exposed...
and 22–25% tin
Tin
Tin is a chemical element with the symbol Sn and atomic number 50. It is a main group metal in group 14 of the periodic table. Tin shows chemical similarity to both neighboring group 14 elements, germanium and lead and has two possible oxidation states, +2 and the slightly more stable +4...
; its melting point is 100 °C (212 °F). The alloy does not contract on cooling.
Uses
Rose's metal is typically used as a solderSolder
Solder is a fusible metal alloy used to join together metal workpieces and having a melting point below that of the workpiece.Soft solder is what is most often thought of when solder or soldering are mentioned and it typically has a melting range of . It is commonly used in electronics and...
. It was used to secure cast iron railings and balusters in pockets in stone bases and steps. Its other uses are similar to Wood's metal
Wood's metal
Wood's metal, also known as Lipowitz's alloy or by the commercial names cerrobend, bendalloy, pewtalloy or MCP 158, is a eutectic, fusible alloy with a melting point of approximately . It is a eutectic alloy of 50% bismuth, 26.7% lead, 13.3% tin, and 10% cadmium by weight. It...
. Rose's metal can also be used for bending of tubes (when the tube is filled with molten metal, solidified, bent, and then the metal is remelted and poured out), and as a heat transfer medium in constant temperature baths. The hot baths with Rose's and Wood's metals are usually not in routine use and are employed for temperatures above 220 °C.
History
It was discovered by the German chemist Valentin Rose the ElderValentin Rose the Elder
Valentin Rose the Elder was a German pharmacist and chemist who was a native of Neuruppin. He is remembered for creation of a fusible alloy known as Rose metal, which is composed of lead, bismuth and tin....
, the grandfather of Heinrich Rose
Heinrich Rose
Heinrich Rose was a German mineralogist and analytical chemist. He was the brother of the mineralogist Gustav Rose and a son of Valentin Rose....
.