Bismuth


Bismuth Symbol
Number 83 on the periodic table Bismuth has long been considered as the element with the highest atomic mass that is stable. However, in 2003 it was discovered to be weakly radioactive with a half life of more than a billion times the estimated age of the universe. (Wikipedia)

The melting temperature of bismuth is 520.6°F
When melted and partially hardened bismuth if solidified into beautiful crystals. The full cycle of ingot to crystals in the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8KYZHMkTHw

The crystals look like squares growing upwards and spiraling around.

Bismuth crystals rarely form in nature, but they do form in incredibly shiny chunks

Bismuth is very fragile and brittle, so a few light hits with a hammer snaps apart the chunk like a twig

The approximate price of about one pound of Bismuth is 13 USD, from ROTOMETALS

To grow bismuth crystals you will also need a crucible, though a pot that you intend to never use again will suffice. You could buy a new pot, or a real crucible too. You will also need something to mold the bismuth is such as a smaller bowl. Also for safety you must wear thick leather gloves, or welding gloves if you have them, and safety glasses. In addition to all of this you will need tongs to hold the crucible if you are using one, and a fork you will never use again, though spoons and knives will suffice too.

To buy a pot, you want to buy a stainless steel mixing bowl or a stainless steel saucepan


When you want to melt down your bismuth you should break it up into smaller pieces to it melts faster. You can melt this on a camp stove or even your stove top, or with a blowtorch, or a mapp torch. When you bismuth is fully melted pour it into your smaller bowl. then use your utensil and immediately scrape the impurities off of the surface. Gently tap the crucible with your utensil until some of the top is not moving. Then every thirty seconds or so move around that that piece with the utensil. When you can feel the piece scraping against something. Quickly, but carefully, dump out the liquid into the melting crucible and leave the crystals to cool down and oxidize, at first these crystals will look only silver, but if you give it some time then they become more, and more colorful, the slower this process the more colorful the crystals will become. if you put the crystals in an insulated space they will cool slower and become more beautiful.

Comments

  1. Lynn NadeauJanuary 27, 2016 at 6:04 AM

    Love this blog! So informative! So relevant for those who want to make bismuth crystals. I hope to see the results of Charlie's experiment ... after perhaps a snowy day.

    ReplyDelete

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