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Author: Subject: Unknown metal identification
Daffodile
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[*] posted on 10-12-2016 at 11:30
Unknown metal identification


Okay so usually I'm pretty good at this but today I'm not. I have a bunch of melty metal bits after a really old German shot glass I found that I was using as a crucible melted at pretty low temperatures. I'd like to know what metal it iswas. Here's what I got:

Density: 8.24 g/ml
Observations: Turns grey black in acid, slight reactivity with Hydrochloric Acid, although barely. Grey layer forms when explosed to air for awhile, although it still retains some luster.

Any ideas?


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Daffodile
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[*] posted on 10-12-2016 at 11:33


Oh yeah there's also some wierdness with Sulfur, it managed to react with a sulfur containing dye that I was burning to form a sulfide that reacted with acids.
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Neme
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[*] posted on 10-12-2016 at 11:37


Is it pure metal or alloy?
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Daffodile
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[*] posted on 10-12-2016 at 11:53


Quote: Originally posted by Neme  
Is it pure metal or alloy?
I dont know but I'm assuming its pure or a well known alloy as this was mass produced a long time ago.

It melts far under red head, and at continued heating, the oxide layer can be skimmed off to give an unreactive shiny molten bead. I'm really hoping this is a silver tin alloy

[Edited on 10-12-2016 by Daffodile]
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[*] posted on 10-12-2016 at 12:22


Pewter?
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[*] posted on 10-12-2016 at 12:27


Quote: Originally posted by unionised  
Pewter?

That's the reasonable assumption for a shot glass.




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[*] posted on 10-12-2016 at 13:34


Is there any color in the acid when you try the reaction?



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[*] posted on 10-12-2016 at 13:42


Quote: Originally posted by ave369  
Is there any color in the acid when you try the reaction?

The surface turns black but solution is colourless
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[*] posted on 10-12-2016 at 14:02


What you're describing sounds a lot like pewter. That would explain why a class crucible was used. Also pewter barely reacts with hydrochloric acid.
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[*] posted on 10-12-2016 at 14:16


Nickel silver would have a rather higher melting point.

http://solarmfg.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Critical-Melt...
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[*] posted on 10-12-2016 at 14:17


Quote: Originally posted by Sulaiman  
nickel silver, aka 'German Silver' ?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickel_silver
60% copper, 20% nickel and 20% zinc
but I've no idea how it reacts to acids = copper usually means green?
Copper usually means green, but it would be the last metal to react.



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[*] posted on 10-12-2016 at 14:20


appologies - I realised that it is probably not nickel silver and deleted my post before anyone caught it ... I thought :P



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[*] posted on 10-12-2016 at 20:29


Definitely pewter, although probably a zincy tiny antimonyey variety. Thanks guys.
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[*] posted on 20-12-2016 at 10:22


It could be lead pewter, that is used in cup before they were banned in a couple of places.
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[*] posted on 21-12-2016 at 00:30


I agree, at that density leaded pewter.



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