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Hi folks.
new here...hoping someone can help me out.
I have been asked to clean a copper cathode bundle that has been in a fire.
the bundle is 2tonnes
It is very black and green.
I would like to get it back to its original state or as close as possible.
hoping some of you have an idea.
thanks
wayne.
hello wayne
who asks you to do this?
two tonnes?
doesn't seem like much
where ya from?
maybe your fire marshal could tell ya how ; )
Hi bear.
I run an industrial cleaning company and an existing client asked us to help them out.
There are 16 bundles each weighing 2 tonnes.
south africa.
thanks for the Reply.
wow Wayne, good luck with it. They've started frowning on burned copper here and won't hardly even take it
Vinegar and water50/50 mix. I have also heard ketchup will clean it too....but thats alot of Heinz
Ha Ha....yes, definately a lot of ketchup.Quote:
Originally Posted by BRASSCATCHER
Will try vinegar solution though
Someone mentioned drain cleaner but that's dangerous especially if being sprayed, The vinegar is a lot safer.Quote:
Originally Posted by waynepotgieter
How about sandblasting or one of its relatives?
Jon.
dragging it through gravel will eventually make it shine
I don't know what the 'copper cathode' is.
But when I burn the plastic off copper wire, it comes out acidic & oily.
So, by just adding detergent & water to the dirty copper, you are doing a 'acid wash' anyway.
So then I use a little detergent & something caustic, like dishwasher powder, baking soda could work better as its not as strong as baking soda. This washes the dirt off copper & neutralises the acid at the same time.
Then I do a 'acidic wash' at this time if it is not as clean as I want.
But, ensure that you do a last wash just using water. That will stop it corroding afterwards.
Several times I have been told "That if I did a slightly better job at cleaning the copper, I could have gotten #2 price rather than the 'Domestic' price."
Ketchup has vinegar in it, so does hot sauce. I have never tried to clean burnt copper so don't know if this works or not.Quote:
Originally Posted by BRASSCATCHER
Spent a lot of time in the restaurant biz and learned early that pickle juice (vinegar) is one of the best and cheapest cleaners out there.
On a scale as large as you are dealing with I would think sand blasting(media blasting) would be best. As soon as you have enough posts that you are allowed to post photos(I think a minimum of 6 posts) please post a photo. Also if you can include something in the photo that gives a perspective of size, have someone stand next to it as an example.
How important is it not to damage the surface? Are these items being reused or recycled? Mike.
This was on another thread. this must be for reuse as a 2000 pound block of Cu would have significant value even discolored.
jewelers use dilute sulfuric acid in there pickling solutions to brighten cooper.
look for sulfuric acid drain cleaner. It will be wrapped in plastic at Ace or HD lowes. it should say 98% sulfuric acid. from what I read on this (pickle)its about 10% acid the rest water 1:10 ratio on acid to water. (always add acid to water ESPECIALLY WITH SULFURIC)
Try it on small lot with a small amount of acid solution.
If I were to do this and had a reason to. I would set up my turkey fryer and use a big canning pot to boil water in then I would make my acid solution (always add acid to water ESPECIALLY WITH SULFURIC) in a 5gal plastic pail and put it into the hot water and let it heat up. when its warm around 80-90 degrees I would dip in some cooper and let it sit till all is clean. first rinse it in water then rinse it in a weak solution of lye and water then clean water again and again.
Just a warning sulfuric acid is a nasty unforgiving acid when concentrated and still nasty diluted. look up sulfuric acid burns it will eat through your skin in no time. diluted it will burn were gloves and eye protection. It will also do some pretty good work on your clothes so where the ones you were throwing out. I like to use those plastic rain suits for stuff like this.
Metal Studio Workbook: In a pickle. All about pickling solutions and how to dispose of them.
Eric
the only thing I can think of is putting it in a tumbler that will clean the surface