Indium Wire and Rod
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| INDIUM WIRE | INDIUM ROD |
INDIUM - HISTORY AND USES
Indium (In) is a post transition element with the atomic number 49 that displays intermediate chemical properties between gallium and thallium. This rare material is a silvery element with a bright sheen, and is soft and malleable with a relatively low melting temperature, below 160 oC, making it especially useful in the manufacture of alloys for solders and as a fusing material.
During World War II, the first major use of indium was as a coating for bearings in the manufacture of aircraft engines. Later, new uses for indium were found in alloy manufacture, in special-use solders and in electronics applications. During the 50s, indium was used for the emitters and collectors of PNP alloy junction transistors. In the 1980s, progress in indium phosphide semiconductors and indium tin oxide thin film development for liquid crystal displays redirected use of indium. By the early 90s, thin-film application became its predominant end-use and the bulk of commercially pure indium was consumed in the manufacture of indium compounds for use in liquid crystal displays (LCDs). LCDs are used in many devices like flat panel monitors, televisions, cell phones and laptop computers. A smaller percentage of commercially pure indium is used in the manufacture of electrical components. Because of indium's ability to conduct electricity and it's low melting temperature it is a component in many low temperature solder alloys.
INDIUM WIRE AND INDIUM ROD
Post WWII interest in nuclear power increased the development and widespread use of indium-containing nuclear control rods increased into the 1970s. The high neutron capture cross section for thermal neutrons makes indium quite suitable as control rods in nuclear reactors when manufactured as an alloy containing 15% indium, 80% silver and 5% cadmium. Due to its softness and ductility, indium wire is often used as a seal or gasket in cryogenic and ultra-high vacuum applications. Indium wire's electrical and thermal properties find use in many electronics applications.
For the purpose of nomenclature ESPI considers material that is sold in a coil or on a spool to be wire and material sold as straight lengths to be rod. Indium wire is available up to .250" diameter and rod is available up to 1" diameter. Because it is so soft, most indium wire and rod is extruded.
IN-STOCK, READY TO SHIP INDIUM
ESPI stocks several pre-fabricated indium items shown in the table below that are available for same day shipment.* To view the full listing of Indium Ready to Ship products, click here. For a quotation, call, e-mail or click "Chat Now" for immediate assistance.
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* Customers with an open account placing an order by 1:00 PM Pacific
ESPI provides high purity wire and rod in many different elements for distribution to universities, research labs and manufacturing companies in numerous purities and form factors (i.e., foil, sheet, ribbon, shot, pellets, pieces, powder, sputtering targets, discs and custom fabricated parts). We are able to fabricate all the above to your specification.
CONTACT AND ORDERING:
541.488.8311 telephone
800.638.2581 toll-free
541.488.8313 fax
800.488.0060 toll-free fax
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GENERAL PROPERTIES OF INDIUM:
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Symbol: |
In |
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Atomic Number: |
49 |
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Atomic Weight: |
114.82 |
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Density: |
7.31 gm/cc |
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Melting Point: |
156.61 oC |
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Boiling Point: |
2080 oC |
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Thermal Conductivity: |
0.818 W/cm/K @ 298.2 K |
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Electrical Resistivity: |
8.37 microhm-cm @ 20 oC |
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Electronegativity: |
1.7 Paulings |
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Specific Heat: |
0.056 Cal/g/K @ 25 oC |
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Heat of Vaporization: |
53.7 K-Cal/gm atom at 2080 oC |
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Heat of Fusion: |
0.781 Cal/gm mole
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For more technical and historical information see: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indium
ALLOYS 
