recycling zinc

[TiggerToo]

I was wondering about recycling some of Tigger's old zinc anodes. Essentially melting down the remains of the ones I have taken off and casting a new one.

Any ideas of why that may go wrong?

 

[VicS]

I was wondering about recycling some of Tigger's old zinc anodes. Essentially melting down the remains of the ones I have taken off and casting a new one.

Any ideas of why that may go wrong?

It can be done. If you are aware of the hazardous of handling and casting molten metal you'll have no problems. If you are not it could be a dangerous thing to try.

 

[neale]

And don't breath in the fumes.

I read an article in PBO many years ago about making new pencil anodes from old hull anodes. Made a few in my time, it's not difficult.

 

[Rigger Mortice]

I've done it. No problem.

If you use the kitchen stove wait till SWMBO goes out!

 

[Heckler]

It can be done. If you are aware of the hazardous of handling and casting molten metal you'll have no problems. If you are not it could be a dangerous thing to try.

I think peeps ought to be warned, if they get it too hot and it fumes, the fumes are a killer!
I used to smelt alu in the early eighties, the trade was well aware that zinc getting caught in the alu would burn and the fumes would and did kill smelters!
Stu

 

[TiggerToo]

I think peeps ought to be warned, if they get it too hot and it fumes, the fumes are a killer!
I used to smelt alu in the early eighties, the trade was well aware that zinc getting caught in the alu would burn and the fumes would and did kill smelters!
Stu

planning to do it outside in the barbecue: a few coke briquettes should easily reach Zn melting point. I'll recycle the steel mounting staff: it is well protected against corrosion. I just need to find the correct material to make a mold.

And as an added personal touch, I'll cast a "Tigger Too Anodes" logo

 

[Corribee Boy]

I cast my own pencil anodes, using a blow-torch to smelt the zinc. I understood that zinc fumes are harmless, but if you overheated the crucible (or bean tin, as it's known in my workshop) then the zinc oxide fumes would give you 'zinc chills' - a flu-like condition, but which cleared up when removed from the fumes, with no long-term effects. It's something you also get when welding galvanised steel.

I've googled the subject and plenty of people repeat that understanding - are they wrong?

 

[Heckler]

I cast my own pencil anodes, using a blow-torch to smelt the zinc. I understood that zinc fumes are harmless, but if you overheated the crucible (or bean tin, as it's known in my workshop) then the zinc oxide fumes would give you 'zinc chills' - a flu-like condition, but which cleared up when removed from the fumes, with no long-term effects. It's something you also get when welding galvanised steel.

I've googled the subject and plenty of people repeat that understanding - are they wrong?

The scrap metal recycling mag used to warn us after some peeps were killed smelting zinc. Apparently zinc burns in the presence of air but will turn in to gas at a higher temp if no oxygen present, it was unusual circumstances in the smelter whereby it didnt oxidise but gasified and it is that which causes the prob
Stu

 

[nedmin]

You can make a mould out of concrete but be very careful that it is BONE DRY.

 

[Corribee Boy]

Thanks for the clarification, Stu. (breathes sigh of relief).

 

[zambant]

You can make a mould out of concrete but be very careful that it is BONE DRY.

Fire cement makes nice moulds - But bone dry

Good luck and let us know how it went

John