ABSTRACT
An elementary metal, symbol Ga, gallium is silvery white, resembling mercury in appearance but having chemical properties more nearly like aluminum. It melts at 30°C and boils at 2403°C, and this wide liquid range makes it useful for high-temperature thermometers. Like bismuth, the metal expands on freezing, the expansion amounting to about 3.8%. Pure gallium is resistant to mineral acids, and dissolves with difficulty in caustic alkali. Commercial gallium has a purity of 99.9%. In the molten state it attacks other metals, and small amounts have been used in Sn-Pb solders to aid wetting and decrease oxidation, but it is expensive for this purpose.
