what type of alloy?

[desteve811]

Anyone know what type of alloy these are? Hard to scratch with my finger nail. I can melt them down with a small torch.

[Hickory]

First guess would be zinc.

[Rogerf]

I have the chance to get some "radiator drippings / dross form a radiator shop. It is full of dirt, rust, crud but the bucket are heavy indicating a good percent of lead. I am sure it is mostly solder probably 50-50. Is this worth the effort to try and smelt out everything and get the lead and what percent of clean lead could I expect as they have not given me a price yet.
Thanks for any help

[bangerjim]

Probably zinc. Drop some muriatic (pool) acid on one. If Pb......nothing. If Zn......bubble & fizz.


Fastest easiest way to know. Scratching tells you nothing! Zn AND Pb will both melt with a "torch"..........not a scientific test at all.

Good luck.

banger

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I have the chance to get some "radiator drippings / dross form a radiator shop. It is full of dirt, rust, crud but the bucket are heavy indicating a good percent of lead. I am sure it is mostly solder probably 50-50. Is this worth the effort to try and smelt out everything and get the lead and what percent of clean lead could I expect as they have not given me a price yet.
Thanks for any help

If all the drippings are from Solder, anything under $6 per lb is a good deal.

If I were to acquire such a bucket where the owner of the shop didn't say that it was all solder "for sure", I'd offer less, then I'd try to wash/rinse/clean the everything and sort through it before smelting it.

Recovered 50-50 solder in ingots are probably worth about $8 a pound or more, while WW or various scrap Lead alloys for use as boolit Lead in ingots is worth about $1 per lb.

[TiteWadShooter]

I think lead would be way too soft to be used as cable crimps. Don't you think?

[bangerjim]

I have the chance to get some "radiator drippings / dross form a radiator shop. It is full of dirt, rust, crud but the bucket are heavy indicating a good percent of lead. I am sure it is mostly solder probably 50-50. Is this worth the effort to try and smelt out everything and get the lead and what percent of clean lead could I expect as they have not given me a price yet.
Thanks for any help

What does this even have to do with the OP's question?

banger

[KYCaster]

I think lead would be way too soft to be used as cable crimps. Don't you think?

Probably security seals to make sure the cargo wasn't tampered with between the shipping point and the receiving point.

Probably Zn unless they're very old.

Jerry