Using Low elting point metal for tooling?

[danielm]

http://www.rotometals.com/Low-Melting-Fusible-Alloys-s/21.htm

 

Has anyone here tried this product for tooling ie filling a cavity with it and then drilling/tapping into it and bolting from it?  It seems like the mechanical properties would most likely be too soft....

 

Any input is really appreciated.

 

Thanks!!

DM

 

[danielm]

That's Low Melting Point....sorry.

[chris m]

We have used similar materials for filling a void (pocket, bore, slot, whatever) before machining an adjacent feature; does a pretty good job preventing vibration and keeping thin walls from collapsing during cutting.

 

I would not think it would stand up very well to machining, with the melting point so low, and it is quite soft

 

In addition, because it is not bonded to the base material in any way, you would most likely jack it right out of your part unless the low-melt was encapsulated by the part somehow (like a dovetail or a t-slot).

 

Thinking way out on the fringe, if you need a threaded hole where you don't have any material; could you cast the low-melt around a Keensert, or a flange nut, or something like that?

 

C

[Guyinthedesert]

almost all of our contracts stipulate that no parts may come in contact with bismuth. If it weren't for that, it looks like something feasible.

[Guest]

You'd be better off using glass epoxy. It kinda looks like bondo. It does takes little while to cure but, when I worked in a wind-tunnel model shop on parts with no flat surfaces we could hold onto...it was the only hing that worked and did not contaminate the parts.

[PeterM]

We use a LMP called Serametal. I have had good luck using it keep a shallow angle exit of a small drill strait and relatively burr free. I've used it as a temporary support for thin wall material, and I've used it as a down and dirty support for castings where the quantity was too low to justify a machined fixture.

[cherokeechief79]

almost all of our contracts stipulate that no parts may come in contact with bismuth. If it weren't for that, it looks like something feasible.

one of our engineers is using this for a project now. im just curious what it wrong with bismuth?

[Newbeeee™]

we used to use it for making prototype bellows (as in capsules for air data instruments) back in the day.

ceramatrix or something like it by memory - boil a kettle and pour on to melt it out.

never needed to use it since.