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From: jnp@calmasd.UUCP
Newsgroups: sci.misc
Subject: Re: Osmium?
Message-ID: <2289@calmasd.GE.COM>
Date: Thu, 18-Jun-87 17:17:30 EDT
Article-I.D.: calmasd.2289
Posted: Thu Jun 18 17:17:30 1987
Date-Received: Sat, 20-Jun-87 09:28:51 EDT
References: <1754@ames.UUCP> <336@gtx.com>
Distribution: na
Organization: G.E.- Calma R&D, San Diego, CA
Lines: 18
Keywords: osmium

> ->    I have a strange request ... does anyone in netland know where I can
> ->get some of osmium?  

> I remember a few years ago (like maybe 20) that some brand of ball point
> pen was advertised to have an osmium tip....
> ... But seriously, what property
> of osmium would make it a choice for a ball-point pen tip?

On the order of 25 years ago I read a short piece on Osmium in the Life
Science Library book of Elements.  As my weakening memory recalls, Osmium has
a remarkably low melting point (near 100F I seem to recall).  It has another
odd quality - it causes metals like steel to become extremely hard, although
brittle.  I believe it is this hardness which causes its use in ball point 
pens.
-- 
These opinions are solely mine and in no way reflect those of my employer.  
John M. Pantone @ GE/Calma R&D, Data Management Group, San Diego
...{ucbvax|decvax}!sdcsvax!calmasd!jnp          jnp@calmasd.GE.COM