Basic Smelting and Recycling
Here we go! Another 'XXXX' 1o1 session.... Re-purposing metals can be a long discussion but tonight we are going to go thru a brief rundown of smelting. At a later date we will get into more, in depth, talks on forge/furnaces and Casting into Green sand and just plain sand.
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What is needed | |
Marerials | Sources |
Clean Scrap (Aluminum) |
Soda Cans, Old Lawn furniture, Old Siding, Gutters or downspouts |
(Copper) |
Wiring, electric motor windings, roofing scraps, recycled copper water lines. |
(Lead) |
Wheel weights, drained lead-acid batteries, 'gleanings' from Rifle & Pistol ranges, some old time window weights. |
(Brass) |
Damaged or cracked Brass, brass medium/high pressure pipe fittings, damaged plumbing fixtures, cheap brass decretive ornaments found at garage sales. |
End Products | |
Copper Brass Lead |
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Lead cast into cans |
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Lead in ingots |
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Aluminum | |
Aluminum Ingots |
Two Smelting Examples | ||
Rough Melting Temps of Metals | ||
Copper |
1981* F. |
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Aluminum: |
(900-1200°F) |
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Brass: |
1706*F
(1710-
1950°F) |
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Bronze: |
(1755-1895°F)
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Beryllium Copper |
1600*F |
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Lead: |
(620° F) |
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Tin: |
(449.4°F) |
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Silver: |
(1761.8°F) |