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n/a
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2 Posts |
 Posted - 01/17/2009 : 10:34:03
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Mainly... I want to know what methods I can use to reliably ID metals like brass, copper, aluminum, etc etc.
I have already figured out that using magnets can tell me which metals are ferrous. The same with using a grinder to see what metal's create sparks.
How does one tell the difference between bronze & copper?
Recently I have gotten a hold of some heavy blocks/plates of copper & brass that have an odd white metal coating/plating. I want to remove the plating (it is very thin) so that I can get a better price for the HEAVY plates/blocks. How would one go about doing this?
Edit: also.... how should I be sorting these metals before taking them to the scrap metal recyclers?
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Edited by - n/a on 01/17/2009 10:37:41 |
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NotABigDeal
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2009 : 11:30:37
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Welcome to the site. Any pictures of the blocks in question would be helpful. Could you cut one in half to see exactly how thick the white layer is?
Deal |
Live free or die.
Plain and simple.
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your council or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen."
- Samuel Adams |
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Ardent Listener
Administrator
USA
4841 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2009 : 11:42:59
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| There are lots of alloys out there such as leaded red brass and silicon bronze or silicon brass. In general, brass or bronze has a goldish tint while pure copper is redish or pinkish. |
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Think positive. |
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n/a
deleted
2 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2009 : 12:03:12
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quote:
Originally posted by NotABigDeal
Welcome to the site. Any pictures of the blocks in question would be helpful. Could you cut one in half to see exactly how thick the white layer is?
Deal
Its extremely thin. I've cut off some small pieces (wasnt easy as I had to use a hacksaw to start it & then hammer it back & forth to break it off). Those small pieces I took to a grinder & ground off the white plating/coating. Its a very odd whiteish metal... almost like aluminum,but whiter. But its a pain to cut off pieces that way & a bit dangerous to grind it on a grinder. But the insides are definately copper and brass. |
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Computer Jones
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1112 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2009 : 12:25:50
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A good soak in Acetone or Lacquer Thinner will remove most coating materials.
Keep your soaking vessels covered and dispose of the spent solutions properly! |
There's profit if you melt things!!
8{> |
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New scrapper just starting out has questions...
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