Rainbow ingots?

Gitsum · February 9, 2012, 09:01 PM

I just cast 65 1 1/2lb ingots of what I believe to be pure lead. I could not get a bluish tint off of the top of the melt, And after pouring the ingots, they are very colorful with metallic blues,purples, and golds. Has anyone seen this before? I tried different temps from too hot to ultra cool and fluxing a little and a lot. any ideas?

TXGunNut · February 9, 2012, 11:15 PM

You been playing in Timothy Leary's chemistry set? Quite honestly the only time the colors get interesting in my smelting pot is when it gets too hot.

FrankenMauser · February 10, 2012, 04:19 AM

I've never seen it, but I've only ever heard it being attributed to too much heat. Thermostat or thermometer taking a crap?

Shootest · February 10, 2012, 06:25 AM

I have had lead reclaimed from ranges that has a gold tint, some brass from the jackets remained in the lead.

GP100man · February 10, 2012, 06:49 AM

The closer to pure lead ya get the more colors you`ll see !

Alloys such as tin ,linotype ,monotype,& trace amounts of copper will actually coat the lead molecules & protect em from O2 & nitrogen in the atmosphere.

As ya heat & flux/skim your removing any protective propertys that the flux may offer thus exposing the melt directly to air.

There`s chemical names for all this & someone knows more than I do about it , but this is how I understand it & it happens rite after fluxing for me .

Gitsum · February 10, 2012, 09:04 AM

Thanks GP. Can I assume that my pure ingots can move onto mixing and molding?

dahermit · February 10, 2012, 09:43 AM

"Pure" lead requires a higher temperature to melt than bullet alloys containing Tin. The colors you are getting on lead ingots is of no concern. Alloy your lead and cast your bullets, you have no problem related to the colors you are seeing.

February 9, 2012, 09:01 PM	#1
Gitsum Senior Member Join Date: September 23, 2011 Location: Delawhere? Posts: 146	Rainbow ingots? I just cast 65 1 1/2lb ingots of what I believe to be pure lead. I could not get a bluish tint off of the top of the melt, And after pouring the ingots, they are very colorful with metallic blues,purples, and golds. Has anyone seen this before? I tried different temps from too hot to ultra cool and fluxing a little and a lot. any ideas? __________________ Want Some?... GITSUM!

February 9, 2012, 11:15 PM	#2
TXGunNut Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: If you have to ask... Posts: 2,860	You been playing in Timothy Leary's chemistry set? Quite honestly the only time the colors get interesting in my smelting pot is when it gets too hot. __________________ Life Member NRA, TSRA Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call Lonesome Dove My favorite recipes start out with a handful of used wheelweights.

February 10, 2012, 04:19 AM	#3
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,426	I've never seen it, but I've only ever heard it being attributed to too much heat. Thermostat or thermometer taking a crap? __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

February 10, 2012, 06:25 AM	#4
Shootest Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2011 Location: Just outside Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 722	I have had lead reclaimed from ranges that has a gold tint, some brass from the jackets remained in the lead. __________________ The private ownership of firearms is an American Heritage. Anyone who disputes that is Anti-American and unpatriotic. NRA Life Member

February 10, 2012, 06:49 AM	#5
GP100man Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2007 Location: Tabor City , NC. Posts: 1,969	The closer to pure lead ya get the more colors you`ll see ! Alloys such as tin ,linotype ,monotype,& trace amounts of copper will actually coat the lead molecules & protect em from O2 & nitrogen in the atmosphere. As ya heat & flux/skim your removing any protective propertys that the flux may offer thus exposing the melt directly to air. There`s chemical names for all this & someone knows more than I do about it , but this is how I understand it & it happens rite after fluxing for me . __________________ GP100man

February 10, 2012, 09:04 AM	#6
Gitsum Senior Member Join Date: September 23, 2011 Location: Delawhere? Posts: 146	Thanks GP. Can I assume that my pure ingots can move onto mixing and molding? __________________ Want Some?... GITSUM!

February 10, 2012, 09:43 AM	#7
dahermit Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2006 Location: South Central Michigan...near Posts: 6,501	"Pure" lead requires a higher temperature to melt than bullet alloys containing Tin. The colors you are getting on lead ingots is of no concern. Alloy your lead and cast your bullets, you have no problem related to the colors you are seeing.