LM95 95°C Low-Melt Metal Moulding Alloy

LM95 is a highly pure eutectic of the bismuth-tin-lead alloy. It has a precise melting/solidification point of 95°C and exhibits low shrinkage (-1.5%) during its change of state. These properties make it highly suitable as a castable, melt-out core for hollow composites moulding processes, most commonly alongside prepreg laminates.

When used in a typical lost-core process, LM95 can be reused indefinitely, making it both economical and environmentally friendly in repeated production.

Typical Uses

The most typical application for LM95 is in casting solid cores or mandrels for a ‘lost core’ moulding process. In this process, resin and reinforcement, usually in the form of prepreg, is laminated around the outside of the core before being consolidated using shrink tape or a vacuum bag. The component is then heated to a temperature sufficient to cure the resin in the prepreg but not high enough to melt the core. Once the prepreg is cured the bag or tape is removed and the temperature is increased to above the melting point of the alloy, at which point the core can be easily poured out and re-used.

Although most often to make fusible cores or inserts for use with prepregs, LM95 can also be used in other composites moulding processes including hand-layup and resin infusion, providing that the resin systems used in the process will not be damaged by being heated to the 95°C melting point of the alloy.

Due to its low melting point, low shrinkage and good mechanical properties, LM95 also finds uses in thermal protection devices, as anchoring or support material and in radiation shielding.

• Fusible core / lost core / melt-out core in composites or injection moulding
• Thermal protection / safety devices
• Work holding / anchoring and support
• Radiation shielding

Where slightly higher cure temperatures are required, we also have our LM138 low melt-alloy which has a melting point of 138°C, making it better suited for use with those prepregs or processes requiring a higher initial cure/moulding temperature.

Composition

LM95 is the eutectic of the bismuth-tin-lead alloy: 52.5% Bismuth, 32.0% Lead, 15.5% Tin.

Physical Properties

The recommended casting temperature for LM95 is 125°C - 150°C. LM95 has a density of 9.7g/cm³ so the volume of your casting in litres should be multiplied by 9.7 to find the number of kilos of LM95 required to fill it.

LM95 has excellent ductility and good fluidity. In common with all bismuth alloys, LM95 undergoes gradual equilibrium following solidification, exhibiting slow dimensions changes, the rate of which is dependent on post solidification treatment.

Safety Considerations

Unlike other low-melting point alloys such as 'Woods metal', LM95 does not contain harmful cadmium.

LM95 does contain lead but in normal use (melting, casting, and recovering) the alloy will stay well below the 500°C temperature at which lead vapour or fumes are generated and therefore the exposure and risk is minimal although normal lead-handling precautions should be followed. Suitable protective gloves and equipment should always be used when handling hot liquid metal.

If you need, or prefer to avoid lead altogether then LM138 is a lead-free, cadmium-free, low melt moulding alloy with a melting point of 138°C.

How to Buy

LM95 is supplied in 1kg ingots. Please enter a 'Qty' for the number of kilos required. Volume discounts will be automatically applied.