Got my hands on a couple of odd alloys, any thoughts?

[mattw]

These were checked with an XRF gun by our local yard.

Alloy 1
pb = 98.18
cd = 1.16
fe = .41
cr = .18
ni = .05
co = .02

Alloy 2
pb = 95.91
sb - 2.27
cd = 1.01
fe = .42
cr = .26

Both alloys are pretty hard, they ring when struck together and a knife point indicates they are fairly hard... May have to find another XRF tester to compare results. Any ideas what these are or were?

[dtknowles]

Could be cable sheaths.

https://www.bing.com/search?q=lead+alloys+with+cadmium&form=ANNTH1&refig=3fcaeaef36144a0eb6da8b14988ca925&sp=1&qs=NWT&pq=lead+alloys+with+cad&sk=PRES1&sc=1-20&cvid=3fcaeaef36144a0eb6da8b14988ca925

Tim

[mattw]

I have sheath lead and it does not ring, but it could be marine engine bearings due to the 1% plus of Cd. Thank god for the alloy spreadsheet and can enter what I have and work with it.

[Rcmaveric]

Alloy one could be about any old scrap. Its almost pure.

Alloy two looks similar to to wheel weights.

Both have cadmium and could be what was used to harden it. Tried to Google cadmium effect on lead but all I get poisoning Articles.

I would check hardness and use accordingly.

Sent from my SM-N970U using Tapatalk

[USSR]

Cadmium, likely from lead acid batteries.

Don

[Conditor22]

I wouldn't shoot anything with fe - steel through my barrels -- my 2¢

[Teemu]

I wouldn't shoot anything with fe - steel through my barrels -- my 2¢

Could that Fe been contaminated or something... It's melting point if quite high. Few times on junk yard when looking lead and found some ingots XRF is shown concentrations of Fe and when you turn ingot around and brush that surface clean it is different reading.

[Conditor22]

You're supposed to scrape the item before testing to remove contaminants :)

[Teemu]

You're supposed to scrape the item before testing to remove contaminants :)

Yes I Know that. But if you aren't using that device by yourself. Not all junk yard workers bother to clean every ingot.

[Dusty Bannister]

I think that by now the OP has learned that buying unknown ingots from a scrap yard can turn out to be about anything. Perhaps it is better to at least buy an identifiable scrap and have a better idea what you are getting. On the other hand, at least you have an idea how much lead tin and antimony are present in that ingot. The rest of the material can be cross contamination from being stored in contact with other items, rust residue,etc. Be thankful you are able to buy back from the scrap yard.

[USSR]

...better to at least buy an identifiable scrap and have a better idea what you are getting.

Yep! I only buy lead in their original form (pipe, sheets, WW's, linotype, etc.) so I know exactly what I'm getting.

Don

[edp2k]

You're supposed to scrape the item before testing to remove contaminants :)

This. Sounds like crap/dust/dirt on the surface.
scrape off down to shiny metal and try again.

[mattw]

This. Sounds like crap/dust/dirt on the surface.
scrape off down to shiny metal and try again.

That is what I think happened as well. My wife took the samples in, not sure how they were read. Lead is lead, I am not super concerned about the source for bulk alloy. My lino, mono, pewter and solder are all directly sourced, never but ingots of high quality alloy unless it is in native form or known source.

I think the iron may have been picked up from some rust on my cob moulds and ladle.