There is an unusual property of bismuth—it expands as it cools. The alloys that contain bismuth have the property of expanding and filling up a form into which it is poured as a hot liquid.

Medical Uses: Bismuth compounds have been easing things from minor stomachaches to ulcers and venereal diseases for over 150 years. Bismuth has been found to be the most effective ingredient in medicines to destroy Helicobacter Pylori, which is a bacteria that causes ulcers. There are Bismuth containing antiseptic powders and ointments, and Bismuth compounds can help heal wounds, warts, or cuts. Bismuth compounds can also reduce the renal and lethal toxicity of some types of cancer therapy. They can also alleviate diaper rash, and is commonly used as a medical deodorizer. Relating to heart problems, there are BGO (Bismuth Germanium Oxide crystals), that are used to make images show up on X-Rays. This technique can help diagnose some diseases.

Cosmetics: Bismuth oxychloride (BiOCl) gives a shine to many different cosmetics, like powders, nail polish, etc. There is also Bismuth Citrate which is used as a non-smelly hair dye.

Metallurgy: Bismuth has a very low melting point, so it can help finish metal work so that it is smoother. The strange property of bismuth, that it expands as it solidifies, can increase pressure tightness. This property makes bismuth helpful in plumbing, sprinkler systems, etc.

Plastics: Bismuth compounds can make some plastics flame-retardant. The explanation is (from http://www.bismuth.be/Appl.html) that "They are of the synergistic type, which makes them effective at significantly lower rates of inclusion, thus minimizing interferes with the stability of the polymer. Other side-advantages are a fundamental action at the molecular level not degrading in time, a deodorizing effect of the often bad smelling additives, less corrosion of the processing equipment as well as to the surroundings when disaster does occur, and greater color and aging stability."

Chemicals: Bismuth Catalysts have been used in industrial organic chemistry a lot. They can cut back on the use of CFC’s in Styrofoam. Bismuth compounds also go into paint siccatives, synthetic rubber vulcanizing accelerators, reagents, stabilizers, and tracers.

Pigments: There are lots of pigments that use Bismuth. The compounds are used in things like glass coloring, night-vision, metallic paints, and costume jewelry.

 Other miscellaneous uses:

printing industries

sprinkler systems,

medicines (especially to treat STD’s)

Pepto-Bismol

cosmetics

paints

dyes

electronics

producing malleable irons

as a ctalayst for making acrylic fibres

the metal is used as a thermocouple material

carrier for uranium fuel in nuclear reactors

fire detection, extinguishing systems

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