Zirconium Versus Zirconium Carbide For Use With Galinstan

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the suitability of different materials, specifically zirconium, zirconium carbide, stainless steel, and graphite, for use as conductors in galinstan, a liquid metal alloy. Participants explore the chemical resistance of these materials when immersed in galinstan and consider their availability in forms suitable for use, such as wires or sheets.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that zirconium carbide has excellent chemical resistance to galinstan but is difficult to source in wire form.
  • Another participant suggests graphite as a potential alternative, although they express concerns about its fragility.
  • A participant mentions their decision to use 316 stainless steel, citing research indicating that galinstan does not react with it at temperatures below 200°C.
  • Concerns are raised about the potential for electrolysis to affect the integrity of stainless steel when used with galinstan.
  • Participants discuss the availability and properties of graphite and carbon fiber as alternatives, suggesting they may be more suitable for the application.
  • One participant questions whether electrolysis would occur between galinstan and metals, such as stainless steel, given that galinstan is a metal and not a liquid electrolyte like water.
  • Links to various research documents and articles are shared to support claims about the chemical resistance of the materials discussed.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the suitability of stainless steel versus graphite and other materials for use with galinstan. There is no consensus on which material is definitively the best choice, and concerns about electrolysis and corrosion remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various studies and documents that discuss the chemical interactions of galinstan with different materials, but the applicability of these findings to specific conditions remains uncertain. The discussion includes assumptions about the behavior of materials under specific circumstances, such as temperature and immersion duration.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals working on projects involving liquid metals, materials science, or electrochemistry, particularly those considering the use of specific conductors in corrosive environments.

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I'm planning on working with galinstan, for one of my projects. I need a conductor that can be immersed in the galinstan, indefinitely, without being corroded.

I've learned that zirconium carbide has excellent chemical resistance, when it comes to galinstan. However, no one seems to sell it in the form of a wire. On the contrary, it is possible to buy zirconium wire.

Does anyone know whether or not zirconium has the same, or similar, chemical resistance traits as zirconium carbide? If not, is anyone aware of any other metals, that can be bought in sheets or wires, that don't react with galinstan?

Thanks for your time. I look forward to any advice, or guidance, that anyone is willing to provide.
 
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How about graphite? You can use the mine of a pencil.
 
Thanks, DrDu.

Graphite may be an alternative. However, it seems a bit fragile. As of now, I've decided to go with 316 stainless steel.

When I first started researching galinstan, it seemed as if it reacted with nearly all metals. I stumbled accross the following document, which shows that it doesn't react with zirconium carbide:

https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:728422/FULLTEXT01.pdf

After having trouble finding zirconium carbide wire, I continued to do more digging. Ultimately, I found the following link, which showcases research that suggests that galinstan is non-reactive with stainless steel, as long as you stick with temperatures below 200C:

https://tspace.library.utoronto.ca/bitstream/1807/102601/1/cjc-2020-0227.pdf

Because I intend to use my galinstan at room temperature, and because stainless steel is readily available, and has excellent physical properties, I've chosen to use it.

Thanks for taking the time to respond to my question. I greatly appreciate your willingness to help.
 
Um, 'stainless' steel may not remain so due to electrolysis...

However, IIRC, there is 'graphite' and graphite: The higher density stuff, perhaps carbon fibre in web or tube form, may suit. Also, be readily sourced, reproducible and predictable. FWIW, a tubular strut, either for eg R/C modelling or a fishing rod would likely have the strength to hold its shape while pushing into the dense metal fluid...
 
Thanks for your input, Nik_2213.

I appreciate you mentioning the side effect of electrolysis. However, it still makes me wonder why stainless steel wouldn't continue to be suitable.

I've watched a few YouTube videos of experimenters choosing to use stainless steel for electrodes, when building their electrolysis machines. It tends to be their material of choice. Here's one, that I've watched:



The above is just one video. Perhaps it's the material of choice, in many YouTube videos, due to it's easy availability.

I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of these YouTube videos aren't performed by actual chemists. However, I'm also intrigued by their level of experience. They're actually building these things, and are showing the results, online.

On the other hand, your comment caused me to dig a little deeper, which resulted in me finding the following; which warns against using stainless steel:

https://antique-engines.com/stainless-steel-electrodes.htm

And then I found this; which, also, talks about graphite, and makes me wonder about titanium:

https://www.quora.com/Are-graphite-electrodes-the-best-to-use-in-electrolysis

Finally, the following link gives great support for graphite/graphene:

https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:736871/FULLTEXT01.pdf

So, based on all of this, your suggestion of graphite, in proper form, should be good.
 
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After giving this further thought, I began to wonder if electrolysis will even take place, between galinstan and another metal; such as stainless steel. After all, I'm dealing with metal in galinstan, not water.

As it turns out, someone has already performed research, on this issue, and the result is that, with stainless steel, I need not worry about corrosion, or electrolysis.

Here's a link, for anyone who's interested:

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acsaelm.0c00551
 
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