Galinstan is a silvery, eutectic alloy of gallium, indium and tin. The artificial word galinstan was formed from gallium, indium and stannum (Latin for tin).
The alloy is liquid at room temperature and, according to the manufacturer, changes to a solid state at temperatures below -19 °C. Galinstan adheres to many materials.
Galinstan adheres to many materials, including glass, which limits its applications. For example, thermometers can only be manufactured with galinstan if the inside of the tube is coated with gallium(III) oxide beforehand. Like mercury, galinstan easily forms alloys with solid metals; for example, aluminium can be dissolved in galinstan.
Galinstan has a very high surface tension of 718.0 mN/m, in contrast to water with 72.75 mN/m and mercury with 476.0 mN/m (all at 20 °C).
Composition: 67%Ga/20,5%In/12,5%Sn
Tariff number 81129970
