what is in it?

salvadore · January 6, 2009, 08:13 PM

I have been buying wheel weights recently, after 15 years of my last buy, and I was wondering if I should be aware of anything besides the occasional steel weight?

cchardwick · January 6, 2009, 08:55 PM

Every now and then I get an odd one that won't melt, not sure what it's made of. I assume they are starting to go with a non-lead substitute, probably with a higher melting point.

arizona98tj · January 6, 2009, 09:19 PM

Those newer wheel weights are most likely made of a Zinc alloy. In response to environmental concerns Japanese automobile manufacturers have already voluntarily moved away from the use of lead in automotive applications, and the European Union has placed a ban on the use of lead wheel weights effective July 2005. Many US government federal and state agencies are already moving in this direction.

The melting point of zinc is 419.5 degrees Celsius. Hard to say which way the alloy affects that temp. Compared to regular lead wheel weights, that temp is quite a bit higher.

salvadore · January 7, 2009, 11:56 AM

so the zinc ones should float to the top, right?

10 Spot Terminator · January 7, 2009, 01:32 PM

salvadore ,,,,

Yes the zinc weights will come up to the top of the metler pot as they have a much higher melt temp than the lead weights . You can skim them off with the other slag and be good to go .

salvadore · January 7, 2009, 04:06 PM

thanks gents, appreciate it.

glicerin · January 7, 2009, 09:49 PM

Zinc wheelweights usually LOOK different, are often stamped - Zn -, the chemical symbol for zinc. Many I've found are painted, and are bolt on instead of clip on. I've seen some plastic coated. I sort my ww, and screen out all zinc, plastic, rubber and steel. The dust in air from sorting dry ww's is a greater cause of lead poisoning than melting is. Be safe and enjoy casting.

January 6, 2009, 08:13 PM	#1
salvadore Junior member Join Date: January 1, 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,282	what is in it? I have been buying wheel weights recently, after 15 years of my last buy, and I was wondering if I should be aware of anything besides the occasional steel weight?

January 6, 2009, 09:19 PM	#3
arizona98tj Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 980	Those newer wheel weights are most likely made of a Zinc alloy. In response to environmental concerns Japanese automobile manufacturers have already voluntarily moved away from the use of lead in automotive applications, and the European Union has placed a ban on the use of lead wheel weights effective July 2005. Many US government federal and state agencies are already moving in this direction. The melting point of zinc is 419.5 degrees Celsius. Hard to say which way the alloy affects that temp. Compared to regular lead wheel weights, that temp is quite a bit higher. __________________ stu-offroad.com Largest Jeep TJ project site on the web! (now with guns)

January 7, 2009, 09:49 PM	#7
glicerin Member Join Date: October 9, 2006 Location: Northern Ontario Posts: 36	ww zinc Zinc wheelweights usually LOOK different, are often stamped - Zn -, the chemical symbol for zinc. Many I've found are painted, and are bolt on instead of clip on. I've seen some plastic coated. I sort my ww, and screen out all zinc, plastic, rubber and steel. The dust in air from sorting dry ww's is a greater cause of lead poisoning than melting is. Be safe and enjoy casting.

January 6, 2009, 08:55 PM	#2
cchardwick Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 574	Every now and then I get an odd one that won't melt, not sure what it's made of. I assume they are starting to go with a non-lead substitute, probably with a higher melting point.

January 7, 2009, 11:56 AM	#4
salvadore Junior member Join Date: January 1, 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,282	so the zinc ones should float to the top, right?

January 7, 2009, 01:32 PM	#5
10 Spot Terminator Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2008 Location: Central Oregon Posts: 348	salvadore ,,,, Yes the zinc weights will come up to the top of the metler pot as they have a much higher melt temp than the lead weights . You can skim them off with the other slag and be good to go .

January 7, 2009, 04:06 PM	#6
salvadore Junior member Join Date: January 1, 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,282	thanks gents, appreciate it.