Product Overview
Indium Corporation-Branded BiPbSn Fusible Alloy Ingot - XRF-Verified Composition, ~5 Lb, Low Melt Lens Blocking and Tube Bending Metal
Condition
Single unit available. Unused NOS, sourced from a government research facility. The ingot shows light surface scratches and minor soiling across the face consistent with storage - no structural defects. XRF analysis confirmed composition: Bi 53.40%, Pb 36.58%, Sn 9.16%, Sb 0.86% (8,651 ppm); see the included XRF photo. Weighs approximately one to two ounces under five pounds. The ingot face is embossed "in 117 / INDIUM CORPORATION OF AMERICA" - note that the XRF-confirmed composition differs from Indalloy 117, which contains indium and cadmium not detected here. Buyers should determine melting point suitability for their specific application based on the confirmed Bi-Pb-Sn-Sb composition. Photos show the specific unit you will receive.
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Product Overview
Indium Corporation-branded round ingot, approximately 3.5 inches in diameter, embossed "117" with the Indium Corporation of America mark. XRF-verified composition places this as a bismuth-lead-tin-antimony fusible alloy - not Indalloy 117. Bismuth-lead-tin alloys in this compositional range are used across optical lens fabrication, tube bending support, work-holding fixturing, thermal fuse applications, and low-temperature soldering. The high bismuth content means this alloy expands slightly upon solidification, a property that aids in gripping workpieces and filling cavities. This ingot contains lead - it is not a lead-free material.
Key Features
- XRF-confirmed composition: Bi 53.40%, Pb 36.58%, Sn 9.16%, Sb 0.86%
- Bismuth-lead-tin-antimony alloy - low melting point range typical of BiPbSn alloys
- Slight expansion upon solidification - aids fixturing, gripping, and cavity filling
- Round ingot form, approximately 3.5 inches diameter, approximately 5 pounds
- Embossed "in 117 / INDIUM CORPORATION OF AMERICA" on face
- Contains lead - not a lead-free alloy
- Suitable for remelting and casting into application-specific forms
Applications
- Optical lens fabricators using it to block lens blanks onto surfacing holders before grinding - the alloy secures the blank firmly, then melts away cleanly to release the finished lens without stress or damage
- Tube bending technicians filling thin-walled tubing with molten alloy before bending to prevent wall collapse or wrinkling, then melting it out with hot water or low heat once the bend is set
- Machinists and fixturing engineers pouring the alloy around irregularly shaped workpieces to create custom low-cost holders that grip under machining loads and release with a heat gun
- Safety device fabricators incorporating fusible alloy sections into sprinkler heads, boiler plugs, or thermal cutoffs where a predictable melt event triggers a protective response
- Electronics technicians using low-melt bismuth-based alloy for step soldering on heat-sensitive boards, where reflow of a prior joint would cause damage - apply at lower temperature, protect what came before
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the melting point of this specific alloy?
The XRF-confirmed composition is Bi 53.40%, Pb 36.58%, Sn 9.16%, Sb 0.86%. The exact melting point for this specific Bi-Pb-Sn-Sb ratio is not confirmed. Bismuth-lead-tin alloys in this compositional range typically melt well below 200°C, but buyers should determine the precise melting point for their application before use.
Does this match Indalloy 117?
No. The ingot is embossed "117" and bears the Indium Corporation of America mark, but XRF analysis shows no detectable indium or cadmium. Indalloy 117 contains both. This is a bismuth-lead-tin-antimony alloy with a different composition and different properties than Indalloy 117.
Is this alloy lead-free?
No. Lead content is confirmed at 36.58% by XRF. This alloy is not suitable for applications requiring lead-free materials.
Can this ingot be remelted and recast?
Yes. Fusible alloys in this class are routinely remelted and cast into bars, slugs, or custom fixtures. Use appropriate ventilation and lead-handling precautions given the confirmed lead content.
What is included with the purchase?
The ingot only. No documentation or accessories are included.
The "117" stamp on this ingot is a puzzle the XRF already solved - bismuth, lead, tin, and a trace of antimony, no indium, no cadmium. What you have is a nearly five-pound block of genuinely useful low-melt alloy with a verified composition, waiting for the lens bench, the tube bender, or the fixture shop that knows exactly what to do with it.
