back into shape. Wood's metal has long been used by model railroad enthusiasts to add weight to locomotives, increasing traction and the number of cars that can be pulled. Wood’s metal was used for many years in the 1950’s and 1960’s to make gag flatware spoons as a novelty, and used as a practical joke. Given to an unsuspecting diner, the bowl of the spoon, when immersed in hot coffee or other hot drinks, melted and fell into the liquid, much to the amusement of all. Wood's metal is also used in the making of extracellular electrodes for the electro-physiological recording of neural activity. Like other fusible alloys, e.g. Rose's metal, Wood's metal can be used as a heat-transfer medium in hot baths. Hot baths with Rose's and Wood's metals are not in routine use but are employed for temperatures above . Wood's metal has a modulus of elasticity of 12.7 GPa and a yield strength of 26.2 MPa. Toxicity Wood's metal is toxic because it contains lead and cadmium, and contamination of bare skin is considered harmful. Vapour from cadmium-containing alloys is also known to pose a danger to humans. Cadmium poisoning carries the risk of cancer, anosmia (loss of sense of smell), and damage to the liver, kidneys, nerves, bones, and respiratory system. Field's metal is a non-toxic alternative. The dust may form flammable mixtures with air. Related alloys Several other alloys with similar low melting points are listed here. References Bibliography Birchon's Dictionary of Metallurgy, London, 1965 Experimental techniques in low-temperature physics, G. K. White, Oxford University Press, Third Edition External links Making your own low-melting point eutectic: Science Toys: A metal that melts in hot water Burdakin et al., "Melting points of gallium and of binary eutectics with gallium", Metrologia, 2008 Fusible alloys