Manufacture of Galinstan
ID: 107762 | No.: 339 | Institut für Chemieinformation
School experiment from Year 5 onwardsCategory: Metals and salts
Weighing: 6.85 g of gallium pellets, 2.15 g of indium powder and 1.00 g of tin powder are weighed accurately using an analytical balance and transferred together into a clean, dry quartz glass test tube.
Set-up: The test tube is mounted vertically on a stand above a hot-air blower. It is then purged with inert gas and sealed with an inert-gas-filled balloon.
Heating: The mixture is heated to approximately 240 °C, as tin only melts at 232 °C. The temperature is monitored throughout the process and kept as constant as possible.
Mixing: As soon as all three metals have completely melted, the test tube is shaken gently. If the mixture does not appear to have combined fully to form a homogeneous alloy, the melt is stirred gently with a glass rod. Exposure to air must be kept to a minimum; the test tube is then purged with an inert gas once more and sealed with a balloon.
Reaction time: The mixture is shaken regularly at 160–240 °C for a period of approximately 4 hours to ensure the alloy is completely homogenised.
Cooling: Once the reaction time has elapsed, allow the melt to cool slowly to room temperature. Due to its low melting point of approximately –19 °C, Galinstan remains liquid even at room temperature.
Storage: The finished alloy is transferred to a sealable container and stored away from light and with air oxygen largely excluded to prevent surface oxidation.
- Analytical balance
- Quartz glass test tube (heat-resistant)
- Stand with clamp
- Glass rod for stirring
- Hot-air blower
- Temperature measurement (thermocouple or infrared thermometer)
- Three balloons filled with inert gas (nitrogen or, preferably, argon)
- Heat-resistant mat, protective gloves, safety goggles
| Name | Formula | CAS no. | H-statements | P-statements | Pictograms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zinn, Pulver | Sn | 7440-31-5 | |||
| Gallium | Ga | 7440-55-3 |
H290
– May be corrosive to metals.
German original: Kann gegenüber Metallen korrosiv sein.
H302
– Harmful if swallowed.
German original: Gesundheitsschädlich bei Verschlucken.
H412
– Harmful to aquatic organisms, with long-term effects.
German original: Schädlich für Wasserorganismen, mit langfristiger Wirkung. |
P234
– Store only in the original container.
German original: Nur im Originalbehälter aufbewahren.
P264
– After use … wash thoroughly.
German original: Nach Gebrauch ... gründlich waschen.
P270
– Do not eat, drink or smoke whilst using this product.
German original: Bei Gebrauch nicht essen, trinken oder rauchen.
P273
– Avoid release into the environment.
German original: Freisetzung in die Umwelt vermeiden.
P390
– Wipe up any spilled liquid to prevent damage to property.
German original: Verschüttete Mengen aufnehmen, um Materialschäden zu vermeiden.
P301+P312
– IF SWALLOWED: If you feel unwell, call the POISON INFORMATION CENTRE / a doctor ...
German original: BEI VERSCHLUCKEN: Bei Unwohlsein GIFTINFORMATIONSZENTRUM / Arzt ... anrufen. |
GHS05, GHS07 |
| Indium, Pulver | In | 7440-74-6 |
H228
– Flammable solid.
German original: Entzündbarer Feststoff.
H315
– Causes skin irritation.
German original: Verursacht Hautreizungen.
H319
– Causes serious eye irritation.
German original: Verursacht schwere Augenreizung.
H332
– Harmful if inhaled.
German original: Gesundheitsschädlich bei Einatmen.
H335
– May irritate the respiratory tract.
German original: Kann die Atemwege reizen. |
P210
– Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other sources of ignition. Do not smoke.
German original: Von Hitze, heißen Oberflächen, Funken, offenen Flammen und anderen Zündquellen fernhalten. Nicht rauchen.
P302+P352
– IF IT COMES INTO CONTACT WITH THE SKIN: Wash with plenty of water / ...
German original: BEI BERÜHRUNG MIT DER HAUT: Mit viel Wasser / ... waschen.
P304+P340+P312
– IF INHALED: Move the person to fresh air and ensure they can breathe freely. If they feel unwell, call a POISON INFORMATION CENTRE or a doctor.
German original: BEI EINATMEN: Die Person an die frische Luft bringen und für ungehinderte Atmung sorgen. Bei Unwohlsein GIFTINFORMATIONSZENTRUM oder Arzt anrufen.
P305+P351+P338
– IF IN EYES: Rinse gently with water for several minutes. Remove any contact lenses if possible. Continue rinsing.
German original: BEI KONTAKT MIT DEN AUGEN: Einige Minuten lang behutsam mit Wasser spülen. Vorhandene Kontaktlinsennach Möglichkeit entfernen. Weiter spülen. |
GHS02, GHS07 |
| Galinstan |
H290
– May be corrosive to metals.
German original: Kann gegenüber Metallen korrosiv sein.
H302
– Harmful if swallowed.
German original: Gesundheitsschädlich bei Verschlucken.
H315
– Causes skin irritation.
German original: Verursacht Hautreizungen.
H335
– May irritate the respiratory tract.
German original: Kann die Atemwege reizen.
H412
– Harmful to aquatic organisms, with long-term effects.
German original: Schädlich für Wasserorganismen, mit langfristiger Wirkung. |
GHS05, GHS07 |
H/P statements: machine translation, with the German original below (authoritative). Name, formula, CAS no. and pictograms are not translated.
There are no known hazardous properties of the substances or other risks that would, in principle, preclude the experiment from being carried out by pupils or teachers. The list of substances in DGUV Information 213-098 at degintu.dguv.de has been taken into account.
Experimental procedure; Preparation of Galinstan (2026) Klemeyer, H. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.22832162
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/action/downloadSupplement?doi=10.1002%2Fciuz.202100076&file=ciuz202100076-sup-0001-suppinfo.pdf
Klemeyer, Horst (2024) Letter to the editor: Experimental protocols; https://doi.org/10.1002/ckon.202400026