Want to make your own Brass, the most Steamunk of all metals? Well here is how:
You will need (best/makeshift):
Copper/copper coins before 1991*
Granulated zinc/Galvanised nails**
Sodium Hydroxide/Caustic Soda (same thing)
Hydric Acid/Water
Flame/hob/bunsen burner
Something suitable for putting Hydric Acid in to boil.***
Instructions:
1. Put Hydric Acid in pan and commence boiling.
2. Add zinc and NaOH.****
3. Once water is boiling, at copper for about 45 seconds, then remove.*****
4. You will see that the copper has turned silver.******
5. Carefully heat copper in flame until you see it turn gold in colour.*******/********
*After 1991 (in UK), copper coins are no longer pure copper.
** Galvanised being latin for "covered in zinc".
*** Not plastic, really. Metal is good and non-melty.
**** Zinc then dissovled in NaOH forming Zn(OH)42- (tetrahydroxozincate).
***** Best to think about the whole removing part before you stick the copper in.
****** Your copper is now coated in zinc.
******* Under heat, the copper and zinc fuse to form...Brass!
******** Be careful here, heat it too long and you'll ruin the brass.
Please note, this is not really the best way to make brass. You're far better off mixing zinc and copper on an industrial scale like most people manage, especially since really the copper is only brass coated unless it was rather thin. However, this is much better as a party trick, if you are someone whose parties often include eccentric and largely useless science.
~ the Anachronism Guild ~
The guild for lovers of Steampunk, other Anachronisms and the Victorian Age — be you Dashing Adventurer or Airship Pirate, all are welcome!
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