Bending Small tubing / bismuth

My apologies, Neil (George) for changing your name (to Niels) in my
previous message. :slight_smile:

My questions to you were prompted by a post on the use of "easybend"
by him (Niels L�vschal). I don’t know know whether this product is
available outside Denmark, but his caution raised my questions about
the bismuth easily available in the US.

Pam Chott
Song of the Phoenix

    Medical companies use a low melting point alloy called Bismuth 
. . . Immerse the item in hot water and the alloy will melt out
leaving a clean tube. 

Thanks,Niels.

Sounds easy, but before I try it, are you aware of any potential
hazards (aside from working with hot metals/water) in using Bismuth?
Would subsequent soldering operations produce adverse reactions in the
metal (or person) if there were any residue left in the tubing?

Anyone have an MSDS on Bismuth?

Thanks in advance,

Pam Chott
Song of the Phoenix

“Woods metal” low temperature melting bismuth based alloys are
available in the US. Rio Grande has a mold making metal Part #
706-002 that melts at 160 F. There are a number of these alloys
that melt near the boiling point of water. Jesse

Pam, To enable one to get a low melting temp alloy you can take it to
the bank that it has either tin, lead, cadmium or possibly all three
mixed in the alloy. If you follow the MSDS sheet provided by small
parts and avoid over heating the alloy then there are no toxic fumes,
but I have a ventilation area set up just in case and to be on the
safe side. The fact that this becomes molten again in hot water will
not leave residue of any kind in the tube, therefore to solder will
not be a problem. That was my concern also when I started using it
about 15 years ago. I also use a beaker of hot water and hold it in my
ultrasonic for the last minute or so just to make sure everything is
clean. The fact that this is used to bend hypodermic needles should
clarify the point that there is no residue left over to affect the
metal, and it would be reasonable to say that the medical companies
would not use it if this was the case. Bismuth in its natural state is
one of the most environmentally safe elements, however, you are
introducing other elements that are not as friendly. I have used it as
I said for years without a problem.

Best Regards.
Neil George
954-572-5829