Teocht - 20-8-2024 at 20:29
Hello there,
I've decided to make a TPW cell as well as gallium/indium melting point cells.
Anyone know good sources of at least 4N Gallium/Indium?
Practically speaking they should be shipped and stored in a vacuum or inert atmosphere.
Too many are repoured into smaller packages at far too high of a temperature which irreversibly oxidizes the materials.
Napkin calculations state I would need at least 350grams per cell for about 100mm immersion, closer to 400g........
Quoting some from Asia has given me wildly varying prices (Anywhere from 50 cents to $1.2 per gram).
magnametals.co.uk seems like they have reasonable quality (not that they or I can afford actual purity checks) but price is still high.
MSE supplies and others, if they even sell to individuals, want ~$4 per gram which is untenable.
I still need to develop the cell creation process and the like but was hoping to see if anyone knows of good sources. The Gallium price hikes in
recent years are really annoying.
Cells would be used as references for ongoing development of some temperature sensors & boards.
Sir_Gawain - 20-8-2024 at 21:02
Have you checked Rotometals? It looks like about $1 per gram.
Teocht - 20-8-2024 at 21:06
Yes, it's one of the ones I considered but even just by the images it doesn't inspire me with confidence. Seems they pour hot into those small
capsules and it's more of a "Come play with funny metal" gallium sale not something for purity 
Admittedly I don't have experience ordering from them.
Random - 28-9-2024 at 05:26
I have seen Indium for purchase in Balkan region at not that high price not that long ago.
You could buy like 100g of it for not that high price.