Editing Type metal (section)

=== Behaviour of bipolar alloys ===
Pure metal melts and solidifies in a simple manner at a specific temperature. This is not the case with alloys. There we find a range of temperatures with all kinds of different events. The melting temperature of all mixtures is considerably lower than the pure components.

==== Antimony/Lead mixture examples ====
The addition of a small amount of antimony (5% to 6%) to lead will significantly alter the alloy's behavior compared to pure lead: although the melting point of pure antimony is 630&nbsp;°C, this mixture will be completely molten and a homogeneous fluid even at temperatures as low as 371&nbsp;°C. Letting this mixture cool the alloy will remain liquid even through 355&nbsp;°C, the melting point of pure lead. Once the temperature reaches 291&nbsp;°C, lead [[crystal]]s will start to form, increasing the cohesion of the liquid alloy. At 252&nbsp;°C, the mixture will start to fully solidify, during which the temperature will remain constant. Only when the mixture has fully solidified will the temperature start to decrease again.

Using a 10% antimony, 90% lead mixture delays lead crystal formation until approximately 260&nbsp;°C.

Using a 12% antimony, 88% lead mixture prevents crystal formation entirely, becoming a ''[[eutectic system|eutectic]]''. This alloy has a clear melting point, at 252&nbsp;°C.

Increasing the antimony content beyond 12% will lead to predominantly antimony crystallization.