Welding and Metalworking - Butane torch to melt copper, bronze?
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SamFen
05-18-09, 07:59 AM
Hi all,
I am just starting to experiment with metal working, brazing, casting and the like.
I recently bought a Blazer butane microtorch -- seen here (http://www.amazon.com/Blazer-Self-Igniting-Micro-Torch-Original-GB2001/dp/B000VML7KO). It says that the flame can reach temperatures of 2500 deg. F. Is that true?
I spend some time yesterday trying to melt a small brass rod (melting point 1700 deg. F.) and a small piece of copper tubing (melting point 2000 deg. F.), and got nowhere. The brass glowed red, and the copper gave a lovely green flame and became very oxidized, but neither got anywhere near melting.
Does that kind of flame really reach 2500 degrees? I had the oxygen hole open, and was heating the metal just beyond the tip of the inner blue cone, where I belive it's supposed to be hottest.
Any advice?
Thanks!
Sam
I am just starting to experiment with metal working, brazing, casting and the like.
I recently bought a Blazer butane microtorch -- seen here (http://www.amazon.com/Blazer-Self-Igniting-Micro-Torch-Original-GB2001/dp/B000VML7KO). It says that the flame can reach temperatures of 2500 deg. F. Is that true?
I spend some time yesterday trying to melt a small brass rod (melting point 1700 deg. F.) and a small piece of copper tubing (melting point 2000 deg. F.), and got nowhere. The brass glowed red, and the copper gave a lovely green flame and became very oxidized, but neither got anywhere near melting.
Does that kind of flame really reach 2500 degrees? I had the oxygen hole open, and was heating the metal just beyond the tip of the inner blue cone, where I belive it's supposed to be hottest.
Any advice?
Thanks!
Sam
the_tow_guy
05-18-09, 10:49 AM
My first thought would be that the heat is being conducted away so that that the melting pint is not being reached. Plus, as you suggest, the flame may not be as hot as advertised.
GregH
05-18-09, 01:26 PM
Yes, if you have a blue concentrated flame it would be very close to 2500 degF.
The problem is as said that the heat is being directed away from the metal.
It would be possible to melt copper with a propane flame but you would need to have a much larger heat source, that is a much bigger torch.
Click image:
http://bernzomatic.com/Portals/8/Resources/ProductImages/BZTG_TS8000ZKC_019080_slvr_sm.jpg (http://bernzomatic.com/PRODUCTS/TORCHES/PROFESSIONALTORCHES/tabid/230/ctl/Detail/mid/1009/xmid/6986/xmfid/3/Default.aspx)Image courtesy of bernzomatic.com
Like this only on Mapp gas will do it.
The problem is as said that the heat is being directed away from the metal.
It would be possible to melt copper with a propane flame but you would need to have a much larger heat source, that is a much bigger torch.
Click image:
http://bernzomatic.com/Portals/8/Resources/ProductImages/BZTG_TS8000ZKC_019080_slvr_sm.jpg (http://bernzomatic.com/PRODUCTS/TORCHES/PROFESSIONALTORCHES/tabid/230/ctl/Detail/mid/1009/xmid/6986/xmfid/3/Default.aspx)Image courtesy of bernzomatic.com
Like this only on Mapp gas will do it.
SamFen
05-18-09, 05:01 PM
So when you say the heat is being "directed away," does that mean that the heat is conducting along the metal pipe, away from the flame?
If I used a much smaller piece, is it more likely that it would melt?
If I used a much smaller piece, is it more likely that it would melt?
goldstar
05-18-09, 05:27 PM
Just about any tool you hold it with (pliers, vise, etc.) will also draw the heat away from the part.
SamFen
05-18-09, 05:48 PM
Just about any tool you hold it with (pliers, vise, etc.) will also draw the heat away from the part.
Ok, thanks for all the replies.
So it sounds like my butane torch is probably only really good for melting solder. Or are there other good uses for a microtorch?
Finally, what's the best place to get hard (silver?) solder? None of the hardware stores or craft supplies near me carry it.
Ok, thanks for all the replies.
So it sounds like my butane torch is probably only really good for melting solder. Or are there other good uses for a microtorch?
Finally, what's the best place to get hard (silver?) solder? None of the hardware stores or craft supplies near me carry it.