What is Gallium used for? Gallium is a specialty metal for some scrappers and yards that buy gallium metal. You likely handle it everyday and do not realize it because it looks like many other types of scrap metal.
In science we learn all about life, how it works, and how it pertains to science as a study. A very large portion of scientific studies are devoted to the investigation of elements and their placement on the periodic table of elements.
In this article you will be reading about the element Gallium and its chemical properties, its physical properties, the history behind the element, and proper precautions that you should take into considering when handling this element.
What is Gallium Used for Currently
The element known as Gallium is actually used unbeknownst to us in many daily factors of our lives. In fact, most of the electronics that we use today are commonly made with some amount of this element within.
Physical Properties
Gallium cannot be commonly found in nature, it has to be extracted through a process known as smelting. This element has very striking physical characteristics such as its highly prominent silver coloration, and when in its solid is know to fracture like glass. During solidification this element can expand by at least 3.1% and it is therefore advisable to take care when storing.
Chemical Properties
The element known as Gallium will shown reactions to quite a few differing substances, but only in controlled environments. An example of one of these controlled environments is the recorded reaction of this element to Chalcogen compounds. When heated to extremes this element has shown to change to Ga(III) oxide. This element is known for showing no reactions at room temperature.
History
This particular element was first officially discovered, and named around the mid eighteen-seventies by a French chemist named Paul Emile Lecoq de Boisbaudran. Boisbaudran first identified the element through spectroscopy by its characteristic spectrum of a sphalerite sample. The scientist actually managed to obtain the physical free metal by electrolysis of its hydroxide in potassium hydroxide solution.
Precautions
When handling this element in it’s raw form it is important to take the proper precautions into effect, just like with any other element. Although this element is not necessarily considered to be toxic, there have been studies that show evidence that it could cause dermatitis. Make sure that while you are handling this element you wear the proper coverings.
What is Gallium Used for Concerning Scrap
This silvery white, poor metal named Gallium will continue to be used in the production of electronics because of it’s sheer usefulness and functionality.
Gallium scrap is valuable and yards that buy gallium metal pay very well. However rather than a pound or two of it, yards often want 100 or more pounds of Gallium scrap at a time.