Discovery Information
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Who: Known to the ancients. |
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Name Origin
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German: wissmuth (white mass). |
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Sources
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It can be found free in nature and in minerals like bismuthine (Bi2O3) and in bismuth ochre (Bi2O3). Canada, Bolivia, Japan, Mexico and Peru are major producers.
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Uses
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Main use is in pharmaceuticals, low melting point alloys, fuses, sprinklers, glass, ceramics and as a catalyst in rubber production. Strong permanent magnets can be made from
the alloy "bismanol" (MnBi). In the early 1990s, research began to evaluate bismuth as a nontoxic replacement for lead in various applications.
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Bismuth is sometimes used in the production of shot and shotgun slugs. Its advantage over lead in this respect is that it is non-toxic and therefore legal in the UK for the shooting of wetland birds.
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Bismuth has also been used in solders. The fact that bismuth and many of its alloys expand slightly when they solidify make
them ideal for this purpose.
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Notes
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Among the heavy metals, bismuth is unusual in that its toxicity is much lower than that of its neighbors in the periodic table
such as lead, thallium and antimony.
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In the early 1990s, research began to evaluate bismuth as a nontoxic replacement for lead in various applications.
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