What's this blue stuff

[Jaybird62]

I just melted down some of what appears to to be lead flashing. It was rather flexible and dense. I have not checked the specific gravity yet, though. When I cast ingots there is a blue sheen on the top of the ingots. I was wondering what it might be. I fluxed thoroughly twice and tossed the dross before making ingots. Any idea what the blue sheen might be?

[Willbird]

Molten pure lead has a bluish oxide on top like that.

[captaint]

Depending on age, there's an outside possibility is was tin flashing. Just tap it with a screwdriver - if it sounds like pink it may be tin.

[GabbyM]

Yes that blue shine means it is pure or almost pure lead. makes good muzzle loader balls.

[briang]

I've heard that pure lead ingots can sometimes have a slight blue color, even seen pics of it on here before.

[jdgabbard]

Molten pure lead has a bluish oxide on top like that.

Not always true. Sometimes when I get my WW alloy too hot it turns tan in color then blue, then a deep purple.