Last updated: 2026-01
Material Identity
- Chemical name: Bismuth nickel iron oxide
- Material class: bismuth-based multicomponent transition-metal oxide
- Representative formula: Bi1−xNi1−xFexO3 (solid-solution type, composition-dependent)
- CAS numbers: not uniquely assigned due to variable composition and phase
- Physical form: inorganic ceramic, typically supplied as powder
- What it is not: not a polymer additive, not a carbon material, not a metallic alloy or fiber
Activation & Trigger Conditions
- Trigger: temperature change across phase or magnetic/structural transition regions
- Energy domain: lattice distortion and phase-transition-driven volume change
- Absent trigger: no dimensional response without sufficient thermal excitation
- Insufficient condition: incomplete phase formation suppresses negative expansion behavior
- Excess condition: over-heating or phase decomposition removes the NTE mechanism
Functional Role
- Provides negative thermal expansion through phase-driven lattice contraction
- Offsets positive thermal expansion in composite or ceramic systems
- Improves dimensional stability during thermal cycling when properly integrated
Application Windows
- Compatible systems: ceramics, ceramic–polymer composites, rigid matrices
- Loading range: formulation-dependent; no universal loading applies
- Processing notes: phase purity, sintering profile, and dispersion strongly influence behavior
Limitations & Failure Modes
- Incorrect phase composition → absence of phase transition → no negative expansion observed
- Poor thermal history control → broadened or shifted transition → unstable dimensional response
- Weak matrix coupling → limited stress transfer → reduced macroscopic compensation
Alternatives & Trade-offs
- Zirconium tungstate: continuous lattice-driven negative expansion without phase transitions
- Framework vanadates or phosphates: lattice-based contraction with different stability windows
- Low-expansion fillers: passive reduction of expansion without active contraction
When to Use
- When phase-transition-driven negative thermal expansion is acceptable
- When ceramic fillers can be accommodated in the formulation
- When dimensional control is required over a defined temperature window
- When thermal history can be tightly controlled
FAQ
Is bismuth nickel iron oxide a single compound?
No. It generally refers to a family of solid-solution or multiphase oxides with composition-dependent behavior.
Is the negative thermal expansion continuous?
Typically it is associated with specific phase or structural transitions rather than a broad continuous range.
Why does performance vary between batches?
Variations arise from composition, phase purity, sintering conditions, and thermal treatment history.
Data
No numerical values are provided. Thermal expansion behavior, transition temperatures, and stability must be determined experimentally for each grade.
Sources
Peer-reviewed literature on bismuth-based multiferroic and transition-metal oxides; supplier technical documentation where available.