Zinc !!

[Glenn]

What is the white stuff that appeared when the pipe was welded to the flat bar? What did one pipe have it and not the other?

Yes, I know the answer, but someone has to ask the question.

[Nick]

I had a zinc problem in my shop last summer, I put a crucible in the forge that somehow had zinc in it, and I didn't know it. When I saw the bluebell flames and smoke, I took it out of the fire, opened both sets of barn doors in my shop, and went outside. I didn't feel well the rest of the day, and I think the zinc is the reason. At least I noticed it when I did!

[Jeff Mack]

If you've ever melted brass in the crucible, that might be your zinc source. I've seen a lot of blue flame from zinc burning off during brass casting.

Jeff

[Frankw]

Glenn
I would think the difference is one pipe was welded hotter than other and it is possible that the weld on one pipe has penetrated deeper than the other. Sometimes the weld will look good but if you hit it with a hammer it will brake off quiet easley.
Jeff under no circumstances should you ever weld or heat zinc. It is highly toxic and cancerous i will never allow it in my forge again.

[Glenn]

Frank this was definately zinc, galvanized coated, but old enough that you could not tell by looking. The welding flared the zinc and little white threqds were floating everywhere in the air. I left the area holding my breath.

Question was to start a discussion for the blacksmiths that had not encountered such things before. Photos help identify the problem.

[Woody]

Glenn:

The little white threads floating in the air were only a small portion of the problem, what is more hazardous is the stuff in the fumes that you can't see. These are particles that are able to pass directly through the lungs and into the bloodstream. A while back I did a written blueprint on Toxicology but I can't find it in the blueprint section now. Maybe it got lost in the move, but perhaps now is a good time to publish it again. I still have the original copy let me know if you need it.

Woody

[Glenn]

BP0170 Toxicology is on file.

[Dodge]

The pipe on the right WAS zinc coated. Hence the white powder

[Dodge]

Maybe we should get a link to MSDS posted. Material Safety Data Sheets for industrial materials and their reactivity for absorbtion, combustability and such. I know its a web site but dunno the addy. Little help anyone??

[Glenn]

More information on Fume feaver is available at:
MILLS WELDING & SPECIALTY GASES WEB SITE - Safety Tips

There is also another thread on the I Forge Iron site called PPW-Fume Fever. Both are very much worth reviewing.

This thread was started (including a photo) as zinc once again tried to sneek up and take me by surprise. First experience I had with zinc took 3-4 days to recover, and it was very much a learning experience. I read up on zinc, fume feaver, heavy metal poisioning and etc and thought I knew enough to avoid the hazards. The 2nd time (yes it got me again) I recognized the zinc, but not in time. It took 2-3 days to recover from only a light exposure. I do not play the zinc game, if it is zinc I try to avoid it. But avoiding the problem does not mean the problem does not exist. It means you must always be aware of the problems related to zinc.

This was the reason for this thread, zinc once again showed up in a very unlikely place. This does not mean you must avoid zinc or working with the material, just that it is a life threatening danger and you must treat it as such.

Keep the suggestions coming as the new blacksmith may have no knowledge on the subject and we need to have the information on the site he can use as a reference.


Fume Fever:
Zinc oxide fumes cause a flu-like illness called Metal Fume Fever. Symptoms of Metal Fume Fever include headache, fever, chills, muscle aches, thirst, nausea, vomiting, chest soreness, fatigue, gastrointestinal pain, weakness, and tiredness. Other elements, such as copper and magnesium, may cause similar effects. If you encounter these symptoms, contact a physician and have a medical examination / evaluation. Read the entire article A google search on Zinc, fume fever, heavy metal poison, etc. will provide more information.