SLS Posted May 28, 2018 Posted May 28, 2018 Hi, I had to have a chart for the shop wall to help me with confusion around a few metals that I cast. There are lots of metals and alloys but these are 90% of the ones blacksmiths who cast in face molds or sand cast are going to run into. If nothing else, it lets visitors read something and see that steel is HOT. Either file attached prints full page for thumbtacking. The doc is better quality. SLS MeltingPointsSignForBlacksmithShop.doc Quote
Hephaestus Smith Posted May 29, 2018 Posted May 29, 2018 Wow! Solder melts a 216c! I've been looking for a tempering liquid. Maybe solder would work. Quote
John McPherson Posted May 29, 2018 Posted May 29, 2018 Molten lead was traditionally used for springs. Molten salts are the modern alternative. Both have considerable risks associated with use. Both pale in comparison to quenches like mercury and saturated lye solutions. Quote
ausfire Posted May 29, 2018 Posted May 29, 2018 I am surprised that brass melts at such a high temp. It's a lot closer to the copper component than the zinc. So when we burnish our work hot with a brass brush, are we actually melting a bit of the fine brass bristle or is it just abrasion? Seems to me the temperature at which we burnish steel would be less than 927 C. And thanks for posting that, SLS. Copied for the shop. Quote
SLS Posted May 29, 2018 Author Posted May 29, 2018 Hi Solder melting point is the one that is hard to nail down. I saw many numbers so I took the number from CRC handbook (216 C). I see in the G Brady, H Clauser Materials Handbook that SEA 50-50 melts at 181 C but has traces of antimony, and copper that lower it below my 216 C. Then it says that most commercial 50-50 melt at much higher temperature due to off spec addition of lead. Note that the melting point is the point of slush to solid change so its not a nice liquid at that temp. The best tempering solder to use is 60-40 that has no slush phase melts at 184 C. Someone can edit my chart .DOC and stick in any number they want for the solder they have. Or maybe new chart ideas could be made? SLS Quote
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted May 30, 2018 Posted May 30, 2018 On 5/28/2018 at 7:19 PM, John McPherson said: Molten lead was traditionally used for springs. I've tempered many a gun spring for old muzzleloader restorations, using my thermostat controlled lead pot, never had one fail. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.