- Author
- Jasinski, S. M.
- Title
- Bismuth: Uses, Supply, and Technology.
- Coporate
- Bureau of Mines, Washington, DC
- Report
- IC 9312, 1992, 20 p.
- Keywords
- bismuth
- Abstract
- The development and industry of advanced technologies have led to many important uses for bismuth and its compounds. Bismuth-base alloys are essential for manufacturing jet engine turbine blades, lenses, and various safety devices, such as fire-protection sprinklers. The addition of bismuth to iron, steel, and aluminum imparts properties to these metals that makes them useful in diversified applications. Bismuth is also used widely in medicine, pigments, and electronics. The United States relies heavily upon imports from Sough America and Europe to meet its demand for bismuth, which is recovered chiefly as a byproduct of lead processing.