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Metallurgy Time! How to make DIY Brass

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Elliot Vidal
Crew

PostPosted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 6:03 am


Want to make your own Brass, the most Steamunk of all metals? Well here is how:

You will need (best/makeshift):
Copper/copper coins before 1991*
Granulated zinc/Galvanised nails**
Sodium Hydroxide/Caustic Soda (same thing)
Hydric Acid/Water
Flame/hob/bunsen burner
Something suitable for putting Hydric Acid in to boil.***

Instructions:
1. Put Hydric Acid in pan and commence boiling.
2. Add zinc and NaOH.****
3. Once water is boiling, at copper for about 45 seconds, then remove.*****
4. You will see that the copper has turned silver.******
5. Carefully heat copper in flame until you see it turn gold in colour.*******/********

*After 1991 (in UK), copper coins are no longer pure copper.
** Galvanised being latin for "covered in zinc".
*** Not plastic, really. Metal is good and non-melty.
**** Zinc then dissovled in NaOH forming Zn(OH)
42- (tetrahydroxozincate).
***** Best to think about the whole removing part before you stick the copper in.
****** Your copper is now coated in zinc.
******* Under heat, the copper and zinc fuse to form...Brass!
******** Be careful here, heat it too long and you'll ruin the brass.


Please note, this is not really the best way to make brass. You're far better off mixing zinc and copper on an industrial scale like most people manage, especially since really the copper is only brass coated unless it was rather thin. However, this is much better as a party trick, if you are someone whose parties often include eccentric and largely useless science.
PostPosted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 8:05 pm


I never knew water was called hydric acid. D: But I suppose it's because most people don't bother to call it that.

Sir Regulus Lyonhart
Crew


Lili Marlene

PostPosted: Sat Aug 23, 2008 2:02 pm


I'd love to try that, but American pennies are only copper-plated or some such. I have no idea how far back it woud have to be from to be pure, solid copper.
PostPosted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 8:06 pm


You could almost label this as 'cheap man's copper anodizing'
Just remember, dont overheat zinc...
zinc-oxide is not your friend

First tutorial for this i have seen in a very long time that did not involve an inductance furnace or liquifaction

so, GOOD JOB!
HA!

Ahriman the Deceiver


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PostPosted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 6:02 pm


Lili Marlene
I'd love to try that, but American pennies are only copper-plated or some such. I have no idea how far back it woud have to be from to be pure, solid copper.
Wheat pennies are pure copper... you'll know them when you see them (they don't have the Lincoln memorial on the back)

Edit: But just so you know they're technically worth more than 2 cents due to being pure copper. If caught destroying money (USD) worth more than 2 cents it's a crime. *shrug* Honestly though, I don't think anyone is going to convict you for it though I know some collectors that will give you surly looks.
PostPosted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 1:11 pm


Sir Regulus Lyonhart
I never knew water was called hydric acid. D: But I suppose it's because most people don't bother to call it that.

You don't know the half of it.

Dihydrogen monoxide is colorless, odorless, tasteless, and kills uncounted thousands of people every year. Most of these deaths are caused by accidental inhalation of DHMO, but the dangers of dihydrogen monoxide do not end there. Prolonged exposure to its solid form causes severe tissue damage. Symptoms of DHMO ingestion can include excessive sweating and urination, and possibly a bloated feeling, nausea, vomiting and body electrolyte imbalance. For those who have become dependent, DHMO withdrawal means certain death.

Dihydrogen monoxide:

* is also known as hydric acid, and is the major component of acid rain.
* contributes to the "greenhouse effect."
* may cause severe burns.
* contributes to the erosion of our natural landscape.
* accelerates corrosion and rusting of many metals.
* may cause electrical failures and decreased effectiveness of automobile brakes.
* has been found in excised tumors of terminal cancer patients.

CONTAMINATION IS REACHING EPIDEMIC PROPORTIONS!

Quantities of dihydrogen monoxide have been found in almost every stream, lake, and reservoir in America today. The pollution is global, and the contaminant has even been found in Antarctic ice. In the midwest alone DHMO has caused millions of dollars of property damage.

Despite the danger, dihydrogen monoxide is often used:

* as an industrial solvent and coolant.
* in nuclear power plants.
* in the production of styrofoam.
* as a fire retardant.
* in many forms of cruel animal research.
* in the distribution of pesticides. Even after washing, produce remains contaminated by this chemical.
* as an additive in certain "junk-foods" and other food products.

Companies dump waste DHMO into rivers and the ocean, and nothing can be done to stop them because this practice is still legal. The impact on wildlife is extreme, and we cannot afford to ignore it any longer!

THE HORROR MUST BE STOPPED!

The American government has refused to ban the production, distribution, or use of this damaging chemical due to its "importance to the economic health of this nation." In fact, the navy and other military organizations are conducting experiments with DHMO, and designing multi-billion dollar devices to control and utilize it during warfare situations. Hundreds of military research facilities receive tons of it through a highly sophisticated underground distribution network. Many store large quantities for later use.

IT'S NOT TOO LATE!

Act NOW to prevent further contamination. Find out more about this dangerous chemical. What you don't know can hurt you and others throughout the world.


The Iron Magus


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PostPosted: Fri Nov 28, 2008 6:27 pm


Now adays US pennies are a mix between Zinc and Copper. But if your lucky enought to find a penny before WWII then it's worth more. Because of the War the pennies made were out of pure Zinc because they needed Copper for guns, bullets and ect.
PostPosted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 8:29 pm


bright, clean pennies from 2001 on are easy to make into brass too.
6 min @ ~500 degrees Fahrenheit then drop in water. that's it.

Halo Fauna


Sakusha-sama

PostPosted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 6:59 pm


wow, I would soooo do this if I wasn't also a packrat coin collector who adds any pure copper coins to their collection.
...wait... what was that about 2001+ pennies?
PostPosted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 1:09 am


mmm, very fascinating

I must boot up my lab and try this some time :3

Amossk


X-Raziel Hotokashi-X

PostPosted: Wed Apr 29, 2009 12:48 pm


Lili Marlene
I'd love to try that, but American pennies are only copper-plated or some such. I have no idea how far back it woud have to be from to be pure, solid copper.
I think 50s and earlier were copper. I'd try to find pennies from the 30s for solid copper. You could just as easily use a copper pipe or sheet copper for a jeweler's store.
PostPosted: Sun May 10, 2009 1:42 pm


X-Raziel Hotokashi-X
Lili Marlene
I'd love to try that, but American pennies are only copper-plated or some such. I have no idea how far back it woud have to be from to be pure, solid copper.
I think 50s and earlier were copper. I'd try to find pennies from the 30s for solid copper. You could just as easily use a copper pipe or sheet copper for a jeweler's store.

Actually, you could probably go as late as 1980. That was the cut-off date when I did this lab in high school (my chem teacher was awesome, even if it was a crazy-hard class...).

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Science!

 
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