One for the chemists: Zinc or Magnesium?

[MM5AHO]

Very slightly off topic, but how do you intend to melt them? When this idea was raised a while ago, someone pointed out that heating zinc gives off a toxic gas.

I'm not a chemist, so personally I've no idea if this is correct, but maybe somebody could advise?

I wonder what this toxic gas is? I work in galvanizing, and have yet to notice any ill effects.

Its true that if you heat Zn hot enough it starts to burn and produce ZnO fume. That can be toxic.
But just melting Zn doesn't do anything much other than consume a lot of energy.

 

[MM5AHO]

I got some zinc from a local galvaniser. They buy it in small round ingots .
Please let us know how you get on with the casting and PM me if you get really stuck for zinc material.
Martin

Most galvanizers buy it in large ingots. Standard small size is 25kg (not so popular as more easily stolen), and more usual size is 1400kg ingots.

Make a lot of anodes 1400kg.!

 

[Heckler]

Problem is, it might all be non-Zinc.


That is a good price, you mean these guys? However, I also want to make a hanging anode from my scrap.

The prob is, as Ive posted before, zinc can give off some killer fumes if overheated. I used to own and operate a sloping hearth furnace. Theywere used to separate aluminium and steel and there were a few cases in the trade of peeps dying because they tried to use them to separate zinc (think carburettors) from steel. Also the first and last time we put a VW engine in the furnace was quite spectacular! The crank cases were magnesium!!!
Stu

 

[VicS]

I wonder what this toxic gas is? I work in galvanizing, and have yet to notice any ill effects.

Its true that if you heat Zn hot enough it starts to burn and produce ZnO fume. That can be toxic.
But just melting Zn doesn't do anything much other than consume a lot of energy.

According to Wiki the hazards are associated with casting brass because the mpt of brasses is close to the bpt of Zn and when welding galvanised steel.

Zinc oxide is itself non toxic and has a number of "medical" uses. Not sure therefore why inhalation of ZnO as fumes is a problem although clearly it is.

Take care not to let your galvanising baths boil.

 

[Heckler]

According to Wiki the hazards are associated with casting brass because the mpt of brasses is close to the bpt of Zn and when welding galvanised steel.

Zinc oxide is itself non toxic and has a number of "medical" uses. Not sure therefore why inhalation of ZnO as fumes is a problem although clearly it is.

Take care not to let your galvanising baths boil.

Just found this

Outlook (Prognosis)

Zinc oxide is not very toxic (poisonous) when you mistakenly eat it. Most of the harmful effects come from breathing in the gas form of zinc oxide at industrial sites in the chemical industry. This leads to a condition known as "metal fume fever." Metal fume fever involves a metallic taste in the mouth, fever, headache, chest pain, shortness of breath, and other symptoms, which suddenly start about 4 to 12 hours after exposure.

Either way, long-term recovery is very likely.
Edit, just found this http://www.anvilfire.com/iForge/tutor.php?lesson=safety3/demo
Stu
PS You in a better mood?