Converting Bismuth Metal Into Rainbow and Gold Art (2D Molds).

I am making 2D prints of bismuth by heating it (the bismuth to 271 degrees C) on a hot plate. We need a stainless steel muffin tray or a cast-iron pan. The shallower the pan, the more likely that we can work effectively with the molten bismuth.

Supplies

We need several things to make 2D bismuth molds.

1. A hotplate that can reach 600 °C.
2. A cast-iron 6-inch pan for the bismuth
3. 1 pound of bismuth. Min of it to work with. Check Amazon.
4. A ceramic bowl that can tolerate 271 degrees C min.
5. tongs or popsicle stick to stir the molten bismuth.
6. Tongs could be used instead of the sticks.
7. Gloves designed to handle 600 °C (protective against molten bismuth).
8. Several fans are used to ventilate the area.
9. Muffin trays. Stainless steel.
10. Ceramic titles for the tables.
11. Ceramic plates and bowls.
12. Fire extinguisher (Metal).

Note that alloys of bismuth may have cadmium or lead, that the fumes (Cd has a melting point of 321 degrees C), and could, if inhaled for a prolonged period, cause cadmium and lead toxicity. Ensure it is 99.99% bismuth to avoid this check on Amazon for this information or Etsy, eBay.

Also, I found that for two pounds of bismuth, I can do a lot 5-6 (2D arts) with a nut and bolt as the base. Amazon is a lot cheaper to get the Bismuth metal (Bi).

Step 1: Attempts With Bismuth Molds With Muffin Trays

I heated up some chunks of bismuth in those muffin trays and used tongs and clamps to hold them in place on the hotplate. Stir with a tong or popsicle stick with gloves on until the bismuth turns into a liquid. Stir to achieve the proper crystal formation and remove the clamps, etc. Using gloves, carefully pour the molten metal into a porcelain dish within 1 minute.

This method will generate random molds, but it is a tricky method. Be Aware that you have a limited time 1-2 minutes, to pour the molten metal into the porcelain ceramic dish. This is dangerous since we are dealing with molten metal and possibly some fumes. Please always work in a well-ventilated area when handling bismuth metal.

Step 2: Pan Method of Melting Bismuth.

With a hotplate and a thick pan 1 cm thick cast iron heat up the block of bismuth up to 272 degrees C. This will eventually cause the bismuth to melt in the pan. Use a popsicle stick with gloves to stir the hot metal. Remember, you only have a few minutes before the bismuth solidifies again, so do it quickly. Yes, this will more likely ruin the pan.

The pan with a hotplate and gloves should take 5 to 7 minutes to reach 271 degrees C with the pan. This is still a very hot metal. Be aware, and then pour the bismuth into the ceramic porcelain dish. It should fizz a bit as it reaches a colder temperature, 20 degrees C, and solidify. Once solid, gently tap it (Warning: It will be very hot, though.)

It can be redone for better results, but impurities like air reacting with bismuth metal will occur.

Bismuth + air + temperatures between 273 degrees C to 300 degrees C>>>> Bismuth oxides.

You can remove the metal (Bismuth crystals) with gloves and put it on a ceramic plate type ((It should not crack even at 272 deg C.) I tried this many times, and it was alright at these temperatures, even the cheaper stuff.

You must then, when the molds are cool off, use a nut and bolt attachment for the base. Be careful, since bismuth molds are quite fragile.

Step 3: Conclusions

Many molten molds with weird designs can be made with bismuth. Be careful not to burn yourself or cause a fire ((Fire protocols must be in place.)). While it is unlikely molten bismuth could cause a fire, it may be aware of this, so we use titles on the table to prevent this.