Bismuth

Bismuth expands 3.32% on solidification, which makes its alloys useful in making sharp castings subject to damage by high temperatures.   Alloyed with tin, cadmium, etc., bismuth forms low-melting alloys used for safety devices in fire fire-detection and extinguishing systems and in thermocouple devices.   Bismuth oxychloride is used extensively in cosmetics (smooths and heals skin) and medicine: bismuth subsalycitate (Pepto Bismo, an antidiarrheatic), bismuth subnitrate (soothes gastro-intestinal mucous membranes) and bismuth subcarbonate (cosmetic additive and an ingredient in health care products). ^{Lide 4-5}

In early times, bismuth was confused with tin and lead.   In 1753, Claude Geoffroy the Younger identified it as a separate element.   Bismuth occurs in the ores bismuthinite [Bi₂S₃] and bismite [Bi₂O₃], mostly from countries outside the U.S.   In the U.S., it is obtained as a byproduct from refining lead, copper, tin, silver and gold ores. ^{Lide 4-5}