How to melt brass at home

Brass is a unique alloy used not only in industry, but also in everyday life. A variety of interior items, as well as numerous designs, are made from it. For a craftsman, knowledge of the melting point of this metal will be a good help in the construction or repair of various objects. This alloy has a copper base with a zinc alloying component, which can be supplemented with nickel, manganese, as well as lead or iron.

Metal characteristics

There are several varieties of brass materials available that have a wide range of applications. The most common metal compounds include:

multicomponent composition;
double made of zinc-copper alloy.

The melting point of brass depends on its components. In addition to industry, various interior items and parts of furniture structures are made from it. This became possible thanks to casting, which makes it possible to give the product any shape.

Melting at home does not pose any particular problems if you have the appropriate knowledge and the necessary special equipment. To do this, you must know at what temperature this metal composition melts.

It has a yellowish color, which without additional protection turns black when exposed to air.

The lower limit at which the brass composition melts is about 880 °C, and its upper value reaches 950 °C. To lower the melting point of brass, more zinc is added to it. The characteristics of the metal are negatively affected by bismuth or lead. Please note that the melting point of copper is different from brass. When the material is heated, they significantly reduce its ability to undergo plastic deformation.

Brass is capable of providing high resistance to corrosion, has increased fluidity and excellent anti-friction characteristics. Thanks to all these properties, it is actively used both in general industrial products and in highly specialized components. The surface of the composition is perfectly polished, which allows it to maintain its magnificent appearance for a long time. Brass and bronze have different melting points, which is taken into account when choosing the operating mode.

Processing Features

There are many products in everyday life that contain brass components. Several methods are used to repair or manufacture them. All of them are built on brass fusion technology. This process has its own nuances and features that can significantly complicate repairs. Alloys based on copper and bronze have slightly different characteristics, so it is important to know what composition you will have to work with.

Soft brass alloys contain a zinc content of up to 32.5%, which makes it possible to easily process the material not only in a hot state, but also in a cold state. This procedure is performed by broaching or rolling. These compositions are marked: L 68, L 80, LM 70, and LT 90.

The increase in zinc leads to a significant increase in the hardness of the composition, which becomes hot workable. Cold exposure on these materials is very limited and requires special tools.

In addition, mixed alloys are produced that are quite versatile.

What is needed for smelting

Having the necessary set of equipment and special accessories, you can not only restore various products, but also manufacture brass components at home. Before melting brass, the work site is prepared and special equipment is placed.

Source: https://respect-kovka.com/kak-plavit-latun-v-domashnih-usloviyah/

How to melt brass at home: technology, temperature, equipment

How to melt brass at home? — Machine tools, welding, metalworking

In its most basic sense, brass is an alloy whose main component is copper.

Additional metals can be such as zinc, tin (there should not be too much of it so that the alloy cannot be called bronze), to a much lesser extent manganese, lead and even iron.

In ancient times, this alloy was often called orichalcum, translated as “golden copper”. However, the alloy does not belong to bronze according to the classification, since if we compare the melting point of brass and bronze, it will be much higher for the second.

Like bronze, brass has a fairly wide range of applications in various fields . It is used mainly in the automotive industry in the manufacture of some bolts and other parts, for the manufacture of memorial signs and awards, pipes, and sleeves for chemical equipment. Very often used to create interior items or individual furniture elements.

Characteristics of brass

The manufacture of products from this alloy is achieved primarily through casting . Therefore, it is very important to know at what temperature brass melts.

This greatly depends on its chemical composition, and more specifically, on the zinc content in it, because the more of this metal, the less heat is required to melt it.

If brass contains a significant amount of bismuth or lead impurities, this has a very negative effect on its flow, complicating the processing of products. Therefore, its melting point ranges from 880-950 degrees Celsius.

When making brass products, it is very important to cover them with a protective layer. For this you can use regular varnish. Despite its resistance to corrosion, it is very susceptible to oxidation in the open air. Many exposed parts or furnishings need to be cleaned regularly to prevent them from discoloring. But this is easy to do, because brass polishes very well .

Technical characteristics of the alloy

In addition to its melting point, brass has several other important characteristics due to which it is so widely used in various fields. Here are some of them:

Specific electrical resistance is in the range of 0.07−0.08 microohms per meter.
Density is about 8.3−8.7 tons per cubic meter.
Heat capacity is 0.377 kilojoules per kilogram Kelvin.

Depending on the composition, brass is:

Double - an alloy containing only copper and zinc.
Multicomponent - containing a large number of other metals and impurities.

Brass grades and applications

The brand of brass and its scope of application depend on the composition. For example, tombak, which belongs to the class of wrought brasses, which contains more than 95% copper, can easily combine with steel, forming a bimetal with it. This compound is used in the manufacture of insignia and various objects of art and interior design - figurines, frames, candlesticks .

LO grade brass is used for the manufacture of condenser tubes used in various heating equipment, for example, gas boilers, autoclaves, and bellows.

The LS brand is used to create parts for watch mechanisms, adapters and connecting bushings. Printing matrices are also made from it.

LMC - is found in old Soviet coins with denominations up to 5 kopecks, fittings, nuts and bolts, and its subtype with the prefix “A” is found in parts of river and sea vessels.

Brass, marked LA or LZhM (and its subtypes), is also used for the construction of sea ships and aircraft, various electrical machines and bearings. Very common in parts for various chemical equipment.

The alloy has a fairly low melting point compared to other metals, and therefore it can be processed, manufactured and repaired even at home. To do this, it is necessary to assemble special equipment and have a large work area that allows you to comply with all safety measures required when working with hot or molten metal.

Required Tools

To melt brass at home, you need a furnace. It can be assembled from bricks that have sufficient fire resistance, connecting it with the same heat-resistant mortar.

It is best to use induction heating elements as a heating element. These are ceramic tubes on which nichrome wire is wound.

They can heat up to high temperatures (1000 degrees Celsius or more) and are useful for working with other, more refractory metals and alloys.

The minimum required power of the electricity source that will be supplied for heating should be about 25-30 kilowatts. It must be assembled from sufficiently high-quality electrical parts and have a high efficiency rate.

The crucible - the container where the metal will actually melt, can be made from fireclay - clay fired before sintering. For additional heat resistance and reliability, you can coat it with a solution of potassium silicate, or simply “liquid glass” with an admixture of talc.

Such a crucible will last much longer and withstand a greater number of melts. There are also crucibles made of graphite, but they are much inferior to clay ones in terms of reliability. For operations with a crucible, it is necessary to make or purchase forceps.

They should have fairly long handles and have rounded jaws.

Process description

The alloy is placed in the crucible, preferably in the form of pieces. The smaller they are, the easier the melting process will be, since the heat from the heating elements will be distributed faster between them. The crucible, using tongs, is placed in the oven, and only after that does it begin to heat up.

It can be removed from the furnace only after the entire volume of metal placed in it has passed into a completely liquid form. This operation is performed using the same forceps.

To make alloy castings, you should use special molds cut from wood or 3D printed from a material that is more heat resistant than liquid brass. Wooden molds are mostly disposable. The algorithm of actions is simple: take out the crucible, remove the film, fill it in and wait for it to cool completely.

Safety precautions

To carry out all operations with metals heated to very high temperatures, it is necessary to take care of your safety and minimize the impact of the process on health. It is worth remembering what metals brass is made of, at what temperature a particular sample melts and how it is achieved. Here are some tips:

Use protective gloves and clothing made from materials that are difficult to burn - wool, cotton and others. You should not use synthetic clothing, as it can catch fire very quickly.
Take care to protect your eyes and face with glasses and masks, as an accidental drop of molten metal can cost you your eyesight or cause a serious burn to your facial skin.
Casting must be carried out in a place with sufficient ventilation, as during the casting process substances are released that, if they acquire sufficient concentration, can cause great harm to your health.
In order to minimize the risks of arson or accidental ignition of nearby objects, you can cover the surface on which the stove will be located with an asbestos sheet. Again, do not forget about good ventilation.

By following these guidelines, you can safely and effectively handle hot or molten metals without fear of harm to yourself or others.

Source: https://stanki-info.com/kak-rasplavit-latun-v-domashnih-usloviyah/

How to melt copper yourself at home

Copper is a fairly ductile material with a golden-pink color or pure pink if there is no oxide film. He is extremely popular. Quite often you can find copper products, various souvenirs, many decorative elements, beautiful and unusual objects. There are also some useful household details. This material is held in high regard by many craftsmen. The most common uses of pure red copper, bronze and brass (its alloys).

But what if you are not a professional craftsman and at the same time decide to make something from this metal? A reasonable question arises: “How to melt copper at home?”

From the following article you will learn all about how to work with this material and its alloys at home.

What will you need for work?

Before you start processing copper and its alloys, you need to acquire all the necessary tools:

crucible;
forceps;
muffle furnace;
charcoal;
bugle;
household vacuum cleaner;
a hook made of iron wire;
a mold for a product to be manufactured.

Make sure that before melting copper at home, all the tools are at hand and neatly laid out, not piled up.

How to smelt copper yourself?

For all the work to be completed successfully, without any problems, just follow the algorithm given below:

All copper fragments are placed in a crucible, which is placed in a muffle furnace.
It is necessary to set the desired position for the heating regulator. You can monitor the condition of the contents through a window in the oven door.
Next, in order to melt copper, you need to wait for the required temperature so that the metal begins to melt. As soon as this happens, you need to open the furnace and use special tongs to grab the crucible.
When melting, an oxide film will appear on the surface of the metal. It will need to be removed to the side using a hook made of iron wire.
After this, you can begin making various copper products by simply pouring it into pre-prepared molds.

Important Note

It is worth noting that there are many stories on the Internet about how people melted this metal not with special equipment, but over a fire, in a tin can. As a rule, such authors have no idea what the melting point of copper actually is - 1083 degrees. The essence of what has been said is that you should be prepared for quite large financial expenses. Many tools are not very cheap. Plus, before you melt copper, you should take care of safety equipment.

Below is an example of working with a copper alloy.

How to melt brass?

This material is a multicomponent copper alloy. Parts made from it are often used to create various structures.

What is needed for melting? To melt brass, you need to have all the tools listed in the following list:

muffle furnace;
blowtorch;
gas-burner;
crucible;
metal tongs;
charcoal;
iron wire;
the shape of the product that will be made from this metal.

Instructions for melting material

To avoid various injuries, as well as damage to materials, you must act strictly according to the instructions provided. Another important point is to ensure ventilation in the work area. The second thing to do is to grind the material itself, which will allow it to melt faster. Once this is done, you can get to work:

put all the material in a crucible and place it in the oven;
using an element that regulates the temperature, set the desired degree of melting (from 880 to 950 degrees); turn on the oven;
While the metal is melting, watch it through the window in the furnace door;
once the required brass condition has been achieved, the door can be opened;
using an iron wire hook, remove the oxide film from the surface;
using tongs and taking all precautions, grab the crucible with them;
carefully remove it from the oven and begin pouring the contents into the forms prepared in advance.

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Tips for copper melting instructions

The following tips can make the work process a little easier if you suddenly don’t have some of the necessary tools at hand:

If there is no muffle furnace, you can use a blast furnace, if available. It is worth noting that it can also be rented. But before you melt copper, make sure the device is capable of heating up to 1083 degrees. And also make sure that it can withstand operation at a given temperature.
If you still had to use a blast furnace, find out more about how to properly work with temperature changes. Otherwise, the metal may begin to boil.
The mold for making a copper product must have a higher melting point than the metal itself.

Also, instead of furnaces for processing brass, you can use other available tools. You can use a torch or blowtorch for heating. To process metal with it, you need to place the device in a stable position with the flame facing up. Place a stand made of iron wire above it.

Place a crucible on top of everything with brass folded into it. Next, you need to turn on the heating tool, setting the fire power so that it can completely cover the bottom of the vessel. Due to the fact that melting will occur in the open air, the brass will begin to oxidize.

To reduce this effect, cover the surface of the vessel with a dense layer of charcoal.

Source: https://FB.ru/article/384295/kak-rasplavit-med-samostoyatelno-v-domashnih-usloviyah

Melt brass at home

Copper products have become widespread not only in industry, but also in everyday life. This gives home craftsmen a reason to think about how to independently change the quality of the material for the further production of metal objects. Copper smelting is a special technology that ensures its transition from solid to liquid under the influence of high temperatures.

Main characteristics of copper

The metal is easy to process. Our ancestors knew about its unique properties, as evidenced by historical information and archaeological finds. In nature, it is found both in compounds and in its native form. The surface of copper is soft, yellowish-brown in color. When in contact with air, it becomes covered with an oxide film. The technical characteristics of copper are as follows:

Physical properties of copper

It ranks second after silver in electrical and thermal conductivity.
Low melting point: for pure copper it is 1083 degrees, for copper alloys - from 930 to 1140 degrees.
At a temperature of 2560 degrees the material begins to boil.
Copper is diamagnetic.
When selecting scrap for recycling, it is important to remember that electrical copper is the purest - without impurities.
Alloys of bronze and brass, from which many rare items are made, may contain toxic substances, such as arsenic.

Special care is required with such substances.

Copper is a beautiful material. Products made from it look luxurious and noble. This property attracts the attention of many home craftsmen.

Characteristics of copper smelting methods

Copper smelting at home and in production is the same. The process of changing state is carried out under the influence of increasing temperature. With enough heat, the metal structure of the object is destroyed. This effect can be achieved in several ways.

Muffle furnace

What does a muffle furnace consist of?

Casting using a laboratory muffle furnace, which has an adjustable heating temperature. This is a pretty simple method. The raw materials are pre-crushed into pieces. The smaller they are, the faster the melting will be.

The prepared material is placed in a graphite crucible and placed in a preheated oven. The mold for pouring must have a melting point higher than that of copper. The mass-produced heating device is equipped with a special window that allows you to monitor the technological process.

When the copper reaches a liquid state, the crucible is removed from the furnace using iron tongs. Using a wire hook, the oxide film is removed from the surface of the molten metal to the edges of the crucible. After the manipulations have been completed, the liquid consistency is carefully poured into a pre-prepared container.

Gas-burner

Copper smelting is also carried out using a gas torch. If you don’t have a crucible furnace, a hand-held portable gas burner is quite suitable. It must be placed under the bottom of the container with metal and ensure that the flame completely covers the bottom.

The method allows the material to quickly oxidize, as it involves close contact with air. To prevent the formation of a thick oxide film, the molten mass is sprinkled with crushed charcoal.

Blowtorch

Casting copper using a blowtorch occurs in the same way as with a gas burner. The method is applicable for low-melting metals.

Horn

You can melt copper or its alloys with a forge. To do this, place a crucible with crushed metal on well-heated charcoal. To speed up the process, use a home vacuum cleaner turned on in blowing mode.

The pipe should be of small diameter with an iron tip, since the plastic will melt under the influence of high temperature. The method is ideal for those people who regularly do metal casting in large volumes.

Microwave

A powerful microwave oven with a modified design will help melt copper. To do this, remove the rotating tray. A muffle furnace is made from refractory bricks, into which the starting material is placed. The device is necessary to increase the heat-saving properties of raw materials and protect equipment elements from overheating.

Pure copper is difficult to melt because it has poor fluidity in liquid form. Experts do not recommend making small and complex parts from such material. Multicomponent compounds based on brass, tin or zinc, which do not require high temperatures, are suitable for this.

Independent copper smelting

For many people, smelting copper and making all kinds of products from it is an exciting hobby. Those who want to devote their free time to melting metal need to prepare the following devices for work:

muffle furnace;
pure raw materials;
heat-resistant crucible;
fireproof stand;
steel wire hook;
tongs for removing the crucible from the oven;
personal protective equipment: suit, glasses, gloves.

Actions are performed according to the instructions:

They put on a special suit.
The raw materials are crushed and placed in a crucible.
Place in the oven and set the desired temperature. The metal should not be allowed to boil.
When the set temperature is reached, open the door, grab the crucible with tongs, remove it from the oven, and place it on a refractory stand.
Using a steel hook, the oxide film formed as a result of melting is moved to the edges of the container.
The liquid copper mass is poured into a special container and cooled.
In powerful muffle furnaces, red copper and all kinds of alloys can be melted.

Melting with a torch

It should be remembered that a nitrogen environment is important during melting. For low-melting copper alloys, brass or some brands of bronze, you can use a regular gas burner. For this you will need:

feedstock;
special forms;
tongs for removing metal from a hot working surface;
high pressure burner running on gas;
protective equipment: suit, glasses, gloves.

The alloy melting technology is as follows:

The raw materials are highly crushed. This can be done using a file, turning the material into sawdust.
Place in a special form made of heat-resistant material.
Wear a protective suit, goggles, and thick gloves.
Light the burner.
The heating device is directed with free movements along the body of the container. To achieve quick results, the flame should touch the surface with the blue tip. In this place of the torch the temperature is highest.
After the solid has melted, the crucible is grabbed with tongs.
The liquid mass is poured into the desired form.

If you don't have a gas burner, you can use an ordinary blowtorch.

When casting non-ferrous alloys, every craftsman must remember safety precautions:

The room where work is carried out must have good ventilation.
To avoid burns, it is necessary to work in personal protective equipment.

Optimal air temperature, acceptable air humidity, cleanliness of the workplace, low concentration of harmful atmospheric substances, good illumination of the space are factors that help to avoid injuries.

on topic: Copper smelting test at home

Source: https://kak.pokyer.ru/rasplavit-latun-v-domashnih-uslovijah/

How to melt brass at home - Metalist's Guide

To organize the melting of metal at home, it is necessary to make a device in which the workpiece could be heated to the required temperature. To melt tin and lead, it is enough to load the raw materials into a metal container and put it on fire. Then for casting copper alloys you will need to purchase a special furnace.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5l0ZlXDYHOI

How to melt brass at home will be discussed in this article. But before we begin to describe the main stages of the work, it is necessary to study theoretical information about the metal alloy.

What is brass made of?

Brass, the alloy composition of which can vary significantly, necessarily contains copper in an amount of at least 55%. The remaining 45% of the two-component alloy consists of zinc. Zinc in the copper alloy significantly increases the mechanical strength of the alloy and corrosion resistance.

In addition to zinc, multicomponent brass may contain:

Aluminum.
Tin.
Nickel.
Manganese.
Silicon.

Additional additives are necessary if it is necessary to provide the metal alloy with new properties that will facilitate easier formation of the product during casting and during machining.

To melt brass, the alloy must be heated to 880 - 950 degrees. Exactly what temperature is required for melting a particular type of brass depends on its composition, but when melting metals at home, it is not always possible to determine the grade of the alloy.

To guarantee melting of brass at home, you should purchase a special device in which the metal is heated to the maximum melting temperature.

Making a melting device yourself will require significant time and special knowledge. Therefore, it is much easier to purchase ready-made melting furnaces in specialized stores that run on gas or AC power.

Furnace and tools for melting brass

To cast brass at home, you need to purchase a special furnace.

At home, it is best to use small devices with a maximum heating temperature of 1300 degrees. Such a limitation is necessary to prevent burnout of the zinc contained in this copper alloy.

Graphite crucibles are used as a container for melting brass.
You will also need to purchase tongs and a large spoon. Tongs are needed to install and remove the crucible from the furnace, and a spoon is used to remove slag that forms on the surface of the melt.
A casting ladle is used to pour the molten brass from the crucible into the mold. Without this device, it is impossible to safely tilt the hot crucible during smelting operations.

Work with the melt must be carried out without any deviations from safety regulations, therefore, in addition to equipment for melting, you should definitely purchase protective clothing, eye and breathing protection.

When brass melts, harmful fumes are formed that negatively affect human health.

It is strictly prohibited to carry out smelting work without a respirator. Special glasses or a mask are used to protect the eyes from exposure to infrared radiation, which, with prolonged exposure, can cause damage to the organ of vision.
It is also necessary to use a heat-resistant apron to protect clothing from possible contact with molten metal and thick gloves to avoid burning your hands during melting work.

When all the necessary tools and fixtures have been purchased, you can begin preparing to melt the brass.

Preparatory work

In order for the melting of a copper alloy to be carried out according to all the rules, it is necessary to prepare tools and a place for work.

The best option for placing a furnace for melting brass is a canopy in the fresh air. Installing a stove outdoors allows you to minimize the harmful effects of zinc vapor, as well as ensure good fuel combustion when using a gas stove.

In terms of fire safety, placing a high-temperature furnace outdoors is the most appropriate. If it is not possible to install the melting furnace in this way, then the room in which the melting work is planned to be carried out must be equipped with a forced air ventilation system.

The surface on which the stove is installed, regardless of its location, must be made of non-combustible materials. It is also recommended to install a box with dry sand to safely move the crucible with molten metal. To prevent splashing of molten metal, it is recommended to carry out mold pouring work only over a container with sand.

If scrap metal will be used to obtain the melt, then before starting melting, the brass surface should be thoroughly cleaned of dirt and paint.
When using rolled non-ferrous metal, it is enough to cut it into pieces, the size of which will not exceed the parameters of the crucible of the melting furnace.

Such preparatory work will allow for better melting of metal with less slag, and the process itself will be more fireproof.

Brass melting process

After the preparatory stage, you can begin to directly melt the copper alloy.

The work is carried out in the following sequence:

In the oven, the molds are heated to a temperature of +100 degrees. It is also necessary to warm the spoon well before use. This procedure is necessary to completely evaporate moisture from the surface of the instruments. After warming up, the molds must be placed on dry sand.
Pre-prepared brass scrap or crushed rolled metal for melting is placed in the crucible in the required quantity.
The oven heats up to a temperature of +500 degrees.
The crucible with brass is installed in the furnace and the temperature rises to 950 degrees.
When the metal has completely melted from its surface, you must carefully remove the resulting slag and oxidation products using a spoon.
When the brass acquires a bright yellow color, you can begin filling out the prepared forms. For this purpose, the crucible is removed from the furnace with special tongs and installed on a casting ladle. Then the molds are filled with melt.

If it is necessary to continue melting the metal, the crucible must be filled again with the prepared material and installed in the melting furnace.

Tips and tricks

There are a large number of furnaces for melting metals on the market and it is not always possible to make the right choice of device. Especially if you have no experience in smelting. So that the furnace can be used not only for melting brass, it is recommended to choose a device with the ability to heat up to 1300 degrees.
For example, the melting point of bronze is about 1150 degrees and low-power devices will not allow the melting of this non-ferrous alloy.
For each type of non-ferrous metal it is necessary to use a separate crucible, therefore it is not recommended to melt bronze or any other metal or alloy in a container in which brass was melted.
It is not recommended to wear synthetic clothing while performing smelting work. This fabric ignites and melts easily. In case of fire, may cause serious burns.
In the immediate vicinity of the place where the melting furnace will be installed, it is necessary to place a container with cold water.
Such a protective measure will allow, in the event of a burn, to instantly reduce the temperature of the affected area of the body.
The fire extinguisher must be located in direct access to the place where smelting work is carried out.
The moment of complete melting of brass can be determined by eye.
It is necessary to pour products from this alloy when the surface of the molten metal begins to glow yellow with a slight orange tint.
During melting, brass is strictly prohibited from stirring. This action can lead to the formation of air bubbles, which will negatively affect the density of the material, its mechanical and aesthetic properties.
The exact melting point of brass depends on its brand. When determining the melting point experimentally, care must be taken not to overheat the mixture so as not to accelerate the oxidation process of the metal alloy.
You can make a furnace for melting brass yourself, but only with special knowledge. If difficulties arise in this matter, you can seek advice from experienced craftsmen.

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Significant savings can also be achieved by replacing the graphite crucible with a ceramic product. If you purchase special refractory clay, you can learn how to make containers for melting furnaces yourself.

Ceramic crucibles have a significantly shorter lifespan, but in cases where it is possible to independently manufacture such parts, the money savings will be significant.

Conclusion

At what temperature copper and its alloys melt is described in the article, but theoretical knowledge alone is not enough to become a professional in this matter.

Once a brass melting furnace has been purchased or installed, it is necessary to melt a small amount of metal to test the functionality of the equipment. And gain experience in melting copper alloys at home.

(23,00 out of 5)

Source: https://ssk2121.com/kak-rasplavit-latun-v-domashnih-usloviyah/

Features of brass casting

Mankind knows many metals and alloys based on them. One of the most famous is brass. This is a copper-based compound to which third-party non-ferrous metals are added. Various parts and elements for electrical equipment are made from this material. Casting brass allows you to make workpieces of various shapes and sizes from it. It can be carried out at the enterprise or at home.

Characteristics and applications of brass

Brass is an alloy whose main components are copper and zinc. The traditional compound is a mixture of 70% of the first metal, 30% of the second. However, there are materials where the zinc content reaches 50%.

To understand how to work correctly with this connection, you need to understand its characteristics:

Melting point - up to 950 degrees.
Density - about 8.7 tons per m3.
Electrical resistance - 0.08 microns per meter.
Heat capacity - 0.377 kJ/(kg K)

Brass products can be a mixture of copper and zinc, or these two components and additional alloying additives. The alloy is used in various industries:

production of components for watches;
creation of figurines, jewelry, interior elements;
production of parts used in mechanical engineering;
creation of components for electrical equipment.

Brass has good weldability. In addition, it has a high corrosion protection rate. Due to these characteristics, the alloy is used as a protective coating for other metals in the manufacture of metal structures.

History of technology

Historians say that brass appeared simultaneously with bronze. Alloys were used to make jewelry, tips for tools, weapons, dishes, and cutlery.

To make any item, you had to know the technology of brass casting. Over time, the method developed and improved. Today, the material can be made at home or in production. To do this, you need to accurately carry out the technological process, follow the rules, choose the right tools and raw materials.

Subtleties of technology

The technology of artistic brass casting is similar to the production of bronze products. It has some subtleties that should be discussed before starting to work with materials:

Before making a casting, it is necessary to select consumable metals and melt them. For this, different types of ovens are used. Due to the low melting point, you can make a structure for melting yourself. It will consist of a gas burner and a heat-resistant container.
An important stage during the manufacture of products is pouring the molten raw materials into a mold prepared in advance. The duration of the procedure is no more than 2 minutes. If pouring is done incorrectly, the product may end up with slag pits, burns, depressions, and joints. The finished part will be damaged or require additional processing.
The alloy must be cooled evenly, without the use of coolants.
The part requires additional processing after removal from the mold. After casting, sprues, fills, vents, and profits remain on it. They need to be removed.

We must not forget that forms are reusable and disposable. From the first, the workpieces are removed using pliers. The second ones are broken with a hammer.

What is required for casting?

To melt brass, you must initially prepare equipment and tools for the work. This includes:

Molding compositions. Made from fireproof materials. The shape is selected depending on the required finished product.
Special tongs used to make it are removed from the molds after hardening.
Heating equipment. You can use a purchased model or make a stove yourself. For assembly you will need fireclay bricks and fireproof mastic. For heating, you can use a gas burner or nichrome wire.
A crucible is a container that is filled with consumables. They melt when heated. Then the master pours the molten metals into a mold prepared in advance. The crucible is made of clay or graphite. Additionally, heat-resistant coating is used, which increases the durability of the container.

In order to remove the crucible from the furnace, semicircular tongs are used.

Carrying out work

To melt brass at home and make a high-quality casting, you must follow the technological process exactly and do not reverse the steps. Carrying out work:

The crucible is filled with crushed consumables. It is desirable that their size be as small as possible. The speed of the smelting process will depend on this.
Using tongs, the container is placed in the oven. The heating elements turn on.
The crucible is heated until all the pieces of metal are melted.
The crucible is removed from the furnace. There will be a film on the surface of the molten brass that needs to be removed with a metal rod.
All that remains is to pour the molten alloy into the mold and wait for it to cool.

If the mold is disposable, you need to break it with a hammer or break it with any tool. Reusable structures are separated.

When casting, you need to take into account the safety rules:

Wear protective gloves and clothing made from heat-resistant materials.
Safety glasses will protect your eyes from fumes and drops of molten metal.
The room must be ventilated. Vapors concentrated during metal melting can be harmful to health
Avoid contact of heating elements with flammable liquids, materials, and substances.

By following safety rules, you can protect yourself from injury.

Brass casting is a technological process that can be repeated at home.
To do this, you need to prepare equipment, assemble a homemade furnace, make molds, and perform melting and casting step by step. Allow the molten metal to cool and carry out additional processing of the finished product. Melting brass is very simple

Features of brass casting Link to main publication

Source: https://metalloy.ru/obrabotka/lityo/latuni

How to melt brass at home with a torch

A parameter such as the melting point of brass is important in many situations. This is explained by the fact that this metal, the basis of which is copper, is very actively used for the production of products for various purposes. Knowing the melting point of a given metal, you can even at home make from it not only interior items, but also elements of various structures.

The maximum possible grinding of metal is one of the main conditions for melting brass at home

What is needed for casting

Knowing how brass is melted, you can not only repair brass products, but also make them at home. In order to practice casting brass or bronze, you should prepare the appropriate equipment, some of which you can make yourself. In addition, it should be borne in mind that not all brands of brass and bronze have good fluidity, which makes their casting much more difficult.

In order to melt brass or bronze, which have a fairly high melting point, you will need a special furnace. Many home craftsmen independently make such stoves that operate on the induction principle. Refractory bricks can be used as the basis for such a heating device. The elements of the brick frame are connected to each other using a special mortar that can withstand high temperatures.

Homemade melting furnace with reinforced metal frame

The container in which the melting itself will be performed (crucible) can also be made at home. Graphite or fireclay bricks are suitable materials for it. The preferred material for making a crucible, according to many experts, is fireclay brick. This material is durable and allows you to perform a significantly larger number of melts than a graphite vessel.

Crucible made of refractory clay, coated with liquid glass with talc

The most important element of the furnace in which brass or bronze can be melted is the heating element. Of course, it is possible to heat the crucible using coal, but furnaces in which heating is carried out using the induction principle are more efficient and easy to use. In order to make and effectively use a heating device of this type, you will need a current source with a power of about 20–25 kW.

Melting brass requires the use of a substance such as borax, which is added to the alloy to improve its characteristics. Considering the fact that you will have to work with metal that has a very high temperature, you need to take all safety measures. One of these measures, which minimizes the risk of fire of various objects located in close proximity to the smelting furnace, is the use of asbestos sheets to cover the floor area.

Source: https://master-kleit.ru/origami/kak-rasplavit-latun-v-domashnih-uslovijah-gorelkoj/

How to melt brass at home with a torch?

Brass is a multicomponent alloy. Its composition mainly contains copper, and the main impurity, the so-called alloying component, is most often zinc. There may also be impurities of tin in small quantities, as well as nickel and lead, which give brass different characteristics. Depending on the bonding metal, the melting point of brass may vary.

Main characteristics of the alloy

Paradoxically, brass itself and the method of its manufacture were known long before the discovery of zinc as a separate metal. The ancient peoples of the Southern Black Sea region made copper-based alloys with the addition of a substance called galmey, or zinc spar.

Very often, products from this combination were used as fake jewelry, which were passed off as gold. In ancient Rome, because of this, brass was called orichalcum, that is, gold-copper. It was used there for minting coins .

The physical parameters of the alloy look like this:

The specific heat capacity is 0.377 kilojoules per kilogram kelvin at room temperature.
The specific heat of fusion of brass is 210 Joules per kilogram.
The melting point is highly dependent on the content of alloying metals and varies from 850 to 950 degrees Celsius.
Density is about eight and a half tons per cubic meter.
Resistance per unit length is within 0.07 microohms.

As you can see, brass melts much easier than copper, and therefore is well suited for the manufacture of decorative elements and objects of art, even without the help of specialists.

Melting brass at home

To work with alloy, you need to acquire some tools and specialized equipment. Don't worry, most of the things you need can be made by yourself. So, you will need:

An oven operating on the induction principle.
A crucible made of graphite or fireclay bricks.
Heat-resistant metal tongs for working with hot metal in a crucible.
A ladle and spoon used to remove the oxide film from the surface of hot metal and cast it into molds.

Having all these elements, you can not only repair old products, but also create new ones by casting .

Furnace for working with metal

The main frame of the furnace is usually made of refractory brick, which can withstand high heating temperatures and at the same time prevent heat loss and dissipation outside the structure. To impart solidity, a solution is used, which must also meet certain characteristics related to temperature resistance.

The main component of the furnace is the heating elements . They are usually made of ceramic tubes wrapped with steel wire. Such elements are capable of producing the required temperatures and maintaining them stably. The main characteristics of a home oven look like this:

Operating temperature is over 1000 degrees Celsius.
The power of the heating elements is 25-30 kilowatts.
The number of tubes is at least 4.

A welding inverter can be used as a current source . Such a device will be able to reach the melting temperatures of copper and brass, and in addition, have a sufficient range of adjustment to reach the melting point of lead at home, which is only 330 degrees Celsius.

Crucible and tongs

The design of the crucible may vary. This is affected by both the material from which it is made and the volume. The materials can be:

Ceramics or refractory clay. One of the best options for a crucible, it is very resistant to temperature changes and does an excellent job with refractory metals.
Graphite. Such crucibles are suitable for smelting brass products, but if you need to melt something with a higher spreading temperature, they will not last long.
Cast iron is a good option, but has one big drawback. It actually consists of two halves, held together with a fireproof mortar, which significantly reduces its working strength and, as a result, reliability.

To make a crucible from refractory clay, fireclay clay and silicate glue , also known as a water-alkaline solution of sodium and potassium silicate, also known as “liquid glass”. As a filler, which will give the crucible more strength, you can crush fireclay bricks.

The molding mixture should contain 70% clay and 30% ground brick. Add about 200 grams of liquid glass there and mix until almost homogeneous. After this, water is added, the mixture is mixed and molded into the shape of a crucible.

To ensure that there are no air bubbles left in the clay mass, you need to throw it on the floor several times, after covering it with newspaper.

After this, take a plaster mold for the crucible, which you can buy in a specialized store or make yourself according to instructions from the Internet. First the bottom is placed and formed into it, then the walls, in small pieces.

The entire structure goes through a pre-drying process (about 4-7 hours, depending on the resulting composition) and is removed from the mold.

Completely dried crucibles must be additionally fired at a temperature of about 800 degrees in an oven to gain maximum strength. Thermally treated crucibles are ready for use immediately.

Tongs for crucibles should be made of refractory metal (steel is best), with handles of sufficient length so that the heat transferred from the furnace and crucible does not reach the hands completely. Naturally, this does not mean that you can take them with your bare hands. It is best if they are matched to the diameter of the crucible itself, but if this is not the case, it’s okay, because most products on the market have an adjustable diameter.

Correct melting process

If the brass from which you are going to smelt something new is stored in the form of products, they must be thoroughly washed with soap and dried before the procedure. This will prevent residue from remaining oil or oxides formed on the surface from entering the melting zone. If there are traces of varnish (for example, you want to melt down an unnecessary old candlestick), you must definitely wash them with acetone or another solvent.

The stove itself should be placed in a very well ventilated area , ideally even outside. This is due to the fact that when any metal melts, harmful substances enter the air, which do not necessarily need to be inhaled for them to settle on the lungs. In addition, having a large influx of free oxygen, the furnace works much better.

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lay an asbestos sheet on the ground or scatter a sufficient amount of sand. It is better to carry out further operations to transfer the molten mass in the crucible over them, because neither asbestos nor sand ignite at high temperatures. In addition, they must be very dry, since if liquid metal with a temperature of 900 degrees falls on a wet surface, it can cause instant evaporation of water and scattering of hot drops in all directions.

Melting is carried out in accordance with the following step-by-step instructions:

The oven heats up to just over 100 degrees. This is necessary to evaporate any moisture that gets inside. Water for the direct smelting process is very dangerous. It is advisable to also treat the tongs and spoon in this way and place them in a box with dry sand.
We heat the oven to approximately 450-500 degrees.
We place the brass parts, shavings or scrap in the crucible, and place it in the furnace.
We increase the temperature to approximately 950−970 degrees. It is important to know exactly at what temperature the brass of the brand you are using melts.
When the molten mass reaches a bright orange hue, it is necessary to remove the oxide film with a spoon. In no case should you try to mix or scoop up metal like soup - this will negatively affect its quality due to the ingress of large volumes of air into the mass.
We prepare the mold for pouring, pick up the crucible with tongs and slowly remove it from the body of the furnace.
First, we place the crucible on the ladle, and after that, we pour the molten metal into the mold.

Burner for forge with blower

After this, you can let the metal in the mold cool and harden . If all processing steps are done correctly and no air bubbles penetrate into the thickness of the workpiece, you should get a high-quality product. If it didn’t work out the first time, don’t be discouraged, because nothing prevents you from gaining your own experience step by step through trial and error.

In such a furnace, you can also melt bronze at home, because this copper alloy is within the limits of the maximum temperatures that can be reached in it.

Safety rules at work

Any work with products heated to high temperatures must be accompanied by strict compliance with labor safety standards. This is the only way to prevent accidents and injuries.

The person working with the stove must have protective clothing . This should be a heat-resistant apron that covers the entire front part of the body, thick leather gloves and boots with large soles. There should be no shirts or pants made of synthetic materials under protective clothing. Such products ignite very quickly and do not extinguish well. Give preference to items made from cotton or wool.

If you're wondering where you can get these safety gear, don't worry. Most likely, the same place where you will find crucible tongs and other equipment for melting metals. You can also buy safety glasses, a face mask or a respirator with a special filter there. These devices will help protect your face, eyes and lungs from the harmful effects of waste fumes emanating from molten metal.

Source: https://rem-serv.com/kak-rasplavit-latun-v-domashnih-usloviyah-gorelkoy/

How to solder brass: methods, review of materials, instructions

An alloy of copper and zinc, known since ancient times, is widely used in our time. Brass has high strength, is resistant to corrosion, and is ductile. Thanks to these properties, it is used to make parts of mechanisms and structural elements that are forced to constantly come into contact with aggressive environments.

Despite the reliability of the material, brass products sometimes develop various defects that require repair - breaks, holes, cracks. One way to restore elements is soldering. This process is not very complicated, but it has its own characteristics, so it is extremely important to know how to solder brass.

Familiarity with soldering technology will allow you to successfully carry out such work even at home.

What are the features of the technology?

This method of producing permanent joints is not as popular as welding. The reason is lower solder strength. Seams are formed by melting a filler material called solder. The most important difference between soldering is the melting temperature, which should be lower than that of the elements being connected. They do not change the state of aggregation, which makes it possible to reliably fasten dissimilar materials.

The low-temperature effect on the surface to be soldered has made soldering indispensable, and in some cases the only possible: for example, when it is necessary to obtain a permanent connection of dissimilar metals. The integrity of the processed parts is the main advantage of such a technological operation, since it allows you to work with the smallest elements without fear of their deformation or change in structure.

Soldering is especially relevant in electronics, where you have to work with miniature, very fragile microcircuits, and in electrical engineering, when there is a need to connect or extend conductors.

Classification of brass alloys

Brass can be double or multi-component. In the first case, the composition includes only copper and zinc, which increases the hardness of the alloy. Other components that improve its physical and chemical characteristics include aluminum, iron, silicon, manganese, nickel, tin, lead and other elements. For this reason, it is necessary to know exactly the composition of brass in advance; this will help determine the method, as well as the specifics of soldering.

Brass is classified according to its chemical composition:

Two-component (double, simple). It consists only of copper and zinc. The percentage of these components may vary. These compositions are marked with the letter “L” and a number, which always indicates the amount of copper. For example, L90 contains from 88 to 91% copper, zinc accounts for 8.8-12%. There are impurities, but their amount is minimal - about 0.2%.
Multicomponent (special). This brass has a large number of ingredients that increase the corrosion resistance of the alloy, its strength, and hardness. It is marked differently: another one is added to the letter “L”, meaning the alloying element, and another number appears - the percentage of alloying metal. For example, LA77-2 is aluminum brass, it contains 77% copper, about 2% aluminum, and the rest is zinc. All such alloys are named after the alloying element: ferrous, silicon, nickel, manganese, lead, etc.

Brass is used to make various products. According to the degree of processing, these alloys are divided into:

deformable, they are used to produce bolts, nuts, car parts, brass strips, sheets, wire, pipes, pipes;
foundry (fittings, bushings, instrument parts, bearings, car hydraulic system fittings).

Based on the percentage of zinc, brass is divided into:

Red (tompak), containing 5-10% of this component. Such alloys are ideal for jewelry, figurines and similar artistic products.
Yellow, here the percentage of zinc is 21-36%.

The reason for the popularity of brass is its durability, reliability, resistance to temperature changes and mechanical stress. Therefore, parts made from this alloy are widely used in water supply systems, sewerage systems, and in mechanical and instrument making. Brass products have a long service life, but this is only true if their operating rules are not violated.

Efficiency and obstacles

There are several technologies that allow you to easily weld parts or products made of brass, but they are not simple, promise significant costs, and require certain work skills from the master. Soldering is an alternative that is technologically simpler, which means this option is also suitable for a home craftsman, since there is no need for a highly qualified performer.

If the zinc content in the alloy is not too high, then there are no insurmountable obstacles on the way to the goal: simple soldering using ordinary rosin can cope with the task. When the percentage of this metal in brass exceeds 15, special fluxes are required.

The reason is strong evaporation during soldering of copper and zinc; it leads to the formation of a strong oxide film on the material, and it is quite difficult to remove it. Therefore, without special solders and neutralizing fluxes, an ideal result cannot be achieved.

Selection of optimal materials

Before looking for the best option for soldering brass, you need to determine its brand. Only in this case can an acceptable result of the operation be guaranteed.

Choosing the right solder

This is the material, usually an alloy, that is used to solder the elements. its peculiarity is its melting point, which must be lower than that of the metals being joined. Typical examples of alloys are tin and lead, pure tin.

However, the quality, mechanical strength of such a clutch and appearance are very far from ideal. The reasons for poor quality are pores that appear as a result of zinc evaporation.

To ensure reliable contact, the melting temperature of the material must be significantly lower than brass, and the solder must have excellent adhesion to this alloy.

For soldering brass containing a large amount of copper, it is better to take compositions related to copper-zinc solders, since as a result of the addition of zinc, the melting point of these alloys is reduced. For example, PMC54 and PMC-48 solders melt at a temperature of 880°, PMC-36 - at 800-825°.
For the same alloys, you can use silver solders - grades from PSr12 to PSr72. If brass has a higher zinc content, then similar solders are recommended, but not lower than PSr40.
Relatively inexpensive copper-phosphorus solders are MF-1, MF-2, MF-3. They are plastic, but have good electrical conductivity. If the mechanical and vibration loads are high, then it is better to purchase solders with silver.
If it is necessary to guarantee special strength, then hard copper alloys are chosen: for example, the universal L-CuP6.

The latest brand of solder has a temperature range of 710-880. It is designed to work with bronze, red bronze, brass, as well as copper, when installing pipes, radiators, and heating systems. When using silver or phosphorus solders, it must be taken into account that brass dissolves rapidly, so the processing time (heating and soldering) must be reduced.

Fluxes: homemade or ready-made

Fluxes clean the surface of metals from grease and also prevent the formation of an oxide film. They are also selected depending on the composition of the alloys. For copper compounds, rosin alone is sufficient, but for brass a more aggressive agent is already needed. The simplest flux option for soldering brass is a mixture of borax and boric acid (1:1). It is poured with water (5 mm per 1 g), boiled, stirring, then cooled. However, the best characteristics are possessed by “professionals” - purchased compounds.

Borax flux. He has been known for a very long time, but since then he has not lost his fans. The reason for its popularity is its high-quality work.
Other brands are no less effective: PV-209 (from 700 to 900°), PV-209X (from 650 to 850°).

Source: https://dom-i-remont.info/posts/obshhie-voprosy/kak-payat-latun-kak-vyibrat-flyus-pripoy-i-podhodyashhiy-instrument/

How to melt brass at home video

Sometimes it is necessary to carry out urgent repairs of brass products or to manufacture some part. To do this, you will need to melt pieces of scrap at home. Brass smelting is carried out in special furnaces or homemade forges. Experts will teach you how to melt brass and make a casting.

Main characteristics of brass

Before deciding how to melt brass at home, you need to determine the temperature regime. Copper-based brass alloys in chemical composition are two-component with varying proportions of zinc, and multi-component, containing lead, bismuth and other metals. Knowing the alloy markings, it is easier to determine the exact melting temperature of brass. This data is available in reference tables.

Often you have to use an incomprehensible scrap, it is difficult to determine the grade of metal by color, alloys differ slightly in shades. To melt unmarked scrap, you need to focus on the temperature range of 880–950°C. The less zinc in the composition, the lower the melting point.

It is advisable to protect metal, which darkens over time, from oxidation. Such scrap is cleaned to a shine before being melted. The scrap is sprinkled with coal chips. Melting of metal under such a fur coat will proceed faster.

It is important to consider that not all alloys have good fluidity; it is sometimes difficult to melt them.

Processing features and scope

Like other copper alloys, brass lends itself well to cutting, forging, and stamping. It has good anti-friction properties, does not corrode, looks aesthetically pleasing, and is valued by designers for this. Finding pieces of yellow metal at home is not difficult. Decor, lamps, radio components, and accessories are made from it. Brass is harder than copper; it is used to make shut-off valves, adapters, pipe bends, and heating systems. You can melt any unnecessary parts of the pipeline at home.

What you need for smelting

You can melt brass at home with a gas torch. It is installed vertically under the crucible. To reduce heat loss, the heating zone is shielded with refractory materials or thick iron.

It is convenient to use a factory-made compact muffle furnace. If you have to do home smelting of metals, this item is worth purchasing. Owners of private houses build a furnace from fireclay bricks with air blowing. They immediately make a frame for installing the crucible and a lid.

It is necessary to prepare a refractory crucible. You can use ready-made ceramic, which can withstand temperatures up to 1300°C, or graphite, it is very reliable, suitable for reusable use, the main thing is to remove the slag in a timely manner when it is just gone. Craftsmen make crucibles themselves from fireclay chips, silica, liquid glass, and coat the finished mold with talcum powder. Long tongs are used to grip the hot crucible. It is advisable to prepare a powerful stand that is difficult to melt.

To cast parts, molds are made:

from plaster, they stick it on a wax copy of the future part;
a mixture of cement and brake fluid.

These molds will need to be placed on sand or a large fireproof stand and will need to be filled with the molten substance.

To remove slag from brass you will need a spoon or a wire loop. Don’t forget about fire safety and your own safety.

Melting brass at home: step-by-step instructions

When all the preparatory work is completed, you can begin work. A short instruction will help you deal with melting brass at home. The sequence of operations must be strictly followed:

Preparation of scrap consists of cutting it; the smaller the pieces, the faster the melt is formed. The dark patina is removed from the metal; it is excess slag. The scrap is dried so that there is no moisture left that could provoke the release of the melt.
In the process of preparing the oven for operation, the molds are heated to 100°C, placed on a stand or sand, and leveled.
Heat the crucible; it is better to heat it until it glows yellowish. Then fill it with brass scrap. Crushed charcoal is sprinkled on top.
A crucible with scrap is immersed in a heated furnace and the temperature is raised to 950°C. Under no circumstances should the melt be stirred during the heating process, as oxidation will be activated and more waste will be generated.
When the metal is completely melted, you need to remove slag and scale from it. This is done with a spoon or a loop.
It's time to fill out the form. The molten brass is quickly poured from the crucible and left to harden. Then remove the remaining metal crust from the crucible.

You need to melt the scrap in small portions of 30–50 grams; if necessary, the crucible is loaded several times.

If all conditions are met, you can make a brass casting yourself. When a small piece of metal needs to be melted, it is placed on a mold. Direct the flame of a gas burner towards the scrap. After 2–3 minutes a large drop will form. When melting copper alloys, you need to wear thick cotton overalls. If hot brass accidentally comes into contact with your skin, the risk of burns in such clothing is reduced.

Source: https://instrument16.ru/interesnoe/kak-rasplavit-latun-v-domashnih-usloviyah-video.html