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re: anealing copper gaskets

To: <spridgets@autox.team.net>
Subject: re: anealing copper gaskets
Date: Fri, 15 Nov 2002 17:00:14 -0000
My 2-cents worth ....

Cool your copper gasket slowly, if you allow it to cool quickly the molecules
in the metal will freeze in the heat-excited location they are in and it can
be in a brittle state.  If you allow to cool slowly (the chap who mentioned
the heated bricks was going along the right lines) they will tend to align and
become more flexible.
It does work harden fairly quickly as well but this property isn't being used.
When you are heating it try to keep it on a flat straight surface!  If you are
using a metal (iron) block to rest it on and that has got warm after heating -
place a bit of heat insulation around it to slow the heat loss down.  If you
are doing it in an oven just leave it in for half an hour after turning off.
If you are doing it with flame give it a little keep warming breathing on with
the flame every couple of minutes for 20mins or so.
Basically you want the molecules within the metal to break their current
location/bonds, jump around a bit and cool down in a relaxed state.  Slow
cooling achieves this.
In metal terms it is cold when you can pick it up without your fingers cooking
and you don't have to drop it.

Alan - try it with a couple of bits of scrap copper, one cooled slowly and the
other quenched.  Then bend both bits the same amount several times and see
which one breaks first!  The quenched one is partially brittle (or work
hardened without the work) before bending and should split before the slow
cooled one.  OR, ask a plumber which joint snaps first, a soldered one or a
compression fitting!

Hope it helps

Guy R Day



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