A closeup of liquid gallium on a wood surface.
By Dan Markham Uncategorized • • • 0 Comments

Are Liquid Metals Usable?

When you think of the definition of metal, what comes to mind? You’ll likely think of something that is solid, hard to the touch, and incredibly strong. While these properties are all synonymous with many of the metals we know today, it doesn’t apply to every metal on the periodic table. There are a few metals out there that aren’t solid at room temperature! Regarding many of the qualities that make a metal usable in the field, does that mean that liquid metals are useless? We explain everything you need to know about liquid metals below!

What Are The Liquid Metals?

There are a few metals on the periodic table that are liquid at or near room temperature. While most metals maintain a solid state at room temperature, these are the few metals that differ from that norm:

 

  • Mercury
  • Francium
  • Cesium
  • Gallium
  • Rubidium
  • Copernicium
  • Flerovium

 

Of these metals, you’ve likely heard of Mercury the most. However, most of them are relatively unknown to the average person. For some of the metals on the list, its merely due to a lack of popularity. However, some of these metals aren’t usable at all – and they can be dangerous in close proximity!

What Liquid Metals Are Unusable?

There’s a reason why liquid metals aren’t as well known amongst most people: most of them have no practical use in the field. This isn’t for lack of trying but because some of these metals are particularly dangerous. For example, copernicium, flerovium, and francium are all radioactive metals. It should go without saying that radiation is extremely bad for humans so that crosses these off the list! In addition, both cesium and rubidium are explosively reactive, eliminating any possibility of practical use.

The Usable Liquid Metals

Mercury and Gallium are the only liquid metals that have found some practical use in the field. In the case of gallium, it’s even more restricted due to the fact that it leaves behind a residue on solid surfaces. So while not inherently dangerous, gallium’s only uses tend to be in semiconductors for electricity. Mercury has a few more uses that make it the better metal – it’s a common choice for outdoor temperature thermometers, barometers, and older battery models. However, because of mercury’s toxicity, it is slowly being phased out of use.

Solid Metal Fabrication With Markham Metals

Don’t waste your time with liquid metals! The solid metals will be best for use regardless of what industry you’re in, but you’ll need to prepare them for their tasks first. Markham Metals is the best place to make that happen – we’ll form and shape your metal to the exact specifications required! To get your metals ready for use within your industry, give us a call at 978-658-1121!

Plasma cutting through a metal
By Dan Markham General Information • • 0 Comments

How To Determine Which Metalworking Process To Use


When it comes to getting your metal ready for use within an industry, there are plenty of different paths to take to achieve the desired outcome. However, this doesn’t mean that every fabrication process is going to be best for your specific application. In order for you to get the most out of your metalworking, you should have an idea of what fabrication process would be best before you ever start. Choosing the most optimal metal fabrication process requires knowing exactly what you want. So, what should you be looking for when deciding which process to use? We give you a guide below!

Consider Your Budget

The first – and arguably most important – thing to consider before selecting a metal fabrication process has nothing to do with your metal. Instead, it has to do with how much you’re willing to spend on it! Having a budgetary range in mind before you ever call a metal fabrication company will help you to narrow down your options quickly. Some of these processes require more advanced machinery and time commitment than others, which raises the price of the service. If you can afford it and it achieves the desired result, it’s a good sign that you’ve found the right selection!

Consider Your Metal

After you’ve determined the budget you’ll be working with, the next step is to examine the materials you want to use. What type of metal do you need worked on for your industry’s needs? Believe it or not, the metal you use will affect which processes will be available to you. Every metal has a unique set of properties that make some metalworking techniques more beneficial than others. For example, flame cutting as a process is limited to alloy steels due to the fact that it only generates so much energy to cut through metal. Knowing the limitations of your metal will make it easier to find the right process.

Consider What You’ll Use It For

Metalworking is made up of a variety of different processes of varying levels of complexity. This means that the results you’ll get from each job vary in complexity as well! In order to further narrow down your metalworking selections, you should consider what you’ll be using the final product for. Are you creating a part with a complicated and specific design, or are you just looking to get it to a generic shape? What application will it eventually go to? Generally, the more intricate of a design that you’re looking for, the more intricate your metalworking process should be.

Metalworking at Markham Metals

If you have a metal that you need fitted for use in your industry, Markham Metals offers a variety of different processes to help you get there! No matter how complex or simple your job is, we’ll help you determine the best fit for your needs and deliver a result that is perfect for your application. To get these results for yourself, click here to contact us directly!