Wood's metal
Noun: A specific type of fusible alloy, composed of approximately half bismuth, with the remainder being lead, tin, and cadmium. Its primary characteristic is a very low melting point, around 160 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 71 degrees Celsius).
"Wood's metal" is used as a singular, uncountable noun to refer to this specific metallic compound. It is typically used in technical, scientific, or industrial contexts. - It is valued for its low melting point in applications like soldering, fire sprinkler systems, and as a heat-sensitive element in safety devices. - The term is always capitalized ("Wood's") as it is an eponym, named after its inventor.
Scientific Context:
- The laboratory used Wood's metal to create a precise, low-temperature seal for the apparatus.
- Due to its composition, Wood's metal melts in boiling water.
Industrial/Technical Context:
- The fusible plug in the fire sprinkler head is made from Wood's metal.
- When the temperature reached the critical point, the Wood's metal link melted and activated the safety shut-off valve.
- "To cast with Wood's metal": To use the molten alloy to create a mold or form, often for detailed replicas or in dentistry for creating dies.
- The sculptor cast with Wood's metal to capture the fine details of the insect.
- Fusible alloy (noun): The general category of alloys, including Wood's metal, that melt at low temperatures.
- Eutectic alloy (noun): A more technical term for an alloy with a melting point lower than that of its constituent metals; Wood's metal is a eutectic alloy.
- Cerrobend (noun): A commercial brand name for a very similar fusible alloy, often used interchangeably with "Wood's metal" in workshop contexts.
- Low-melting-point alloy: A descriptive synonym highlighting its key property.
- Fusible metal: A general synonym, though it can refer to other specific alloys like Field's metal or Rose's metal.
(This is a highly technical term with no common idiomatic usage. Its use is confined to literal descriptions.)
- a fusible alloy that is half bismuth plus lead, tin, and cadmium; melts at about 160 degrees Fahrenheit