Have you ever wanted to make your own silver wire jewellery but are struggling with the annealing process? Don’t worry, we’re here to help. We’ve created an annealing wire guide to help you understand how to anneal metal and how to begin.
What is annealing?
You may be wondering what is annealing. Annealing is the process of using heat to reduce the hardness of a metal. Through this annealing and quenching process, the stresses on silver are relieved, making it softened, pliable, and easier to work with. You might need to repeat the annealing process in case your metal work hardens.
What is work hardening when annealing metal?
Work hardening occurs when metal is repeatedly bent and shaped, putting stress on the metal and causing it to become more difficult to work with. The repeated stress on the metal can cause it to snap because the molecules can no longer absorb that amount of pressure. The effects of work hardening can be reversed through the process of annealing metal. This annealing treatment will soften the metal, making it easy to work with once again.
What is the annealing process?
When annealing silver, it will turn into a darker colour followed by blackening. This is a chemical process known as oxidising. The annealing heat treatment process must be continued throughout oxidisation until the silver reaches a dull red. This dull red colour occurs when the metal has reached a critical temperature. As soon as the silver reaches this point, heat must be removed, otherwise, you run the risk of melting the silver.
Then, the silver must then be placed in cold water. This is known as “quenching” and the colour will last for a few moments until the metal relaxes. After this, place the silver into a pickling solution to remove the oxidisation and flux from your piece.
Annealing can be repeated several times with one piece of metal. There is no limit to how many times the silver metal can be heated and manipulated. However, it is always best to anneal as soon as you feel it starts to harden. That way, you avoid causing irreversible damage to your piece.
Our handy video will help guide you on how to anneal and pickle silver.
How to anneal your silver?
What you will need?
How to anneal silver sheet
Step 1: Read the instructions on your pickle solution. Pour the water into the pickle pot and add the pickle solution.
Step 2: Place your sterling silver sheet onto a soldering block and heat the silver using your blow torch. Move the flame evenly over the surface until you see a red colour. This means that the annealing temperature has been reached.
Step 3: Allow the silver to rest until it turns black and then quench in water.
Step 4: Place the silver into a pickling solution for 5 minutes, then remove with the plastic tweezers.
Step 5: Rinse and dry.
How to anneal silver wire
Step 1: Tuck the ends of your silver wire in first before annealing.
Step 2: Place your sterling silver wire onto a soldering block and heat the silver using your blow torch. Move the flame evenly over the wire until you see a dull red colour around the coil. This means that the annealing temperature has been reached.
Step 3: Allow the silver to rest until it turns black and then quench in water.
Step 4: Place the silver into a pickling solution for 5 minutes, then remove with the plastic tweezers.
Step 5: Rinse and dry.
For thicker wire, cut to the size needed and then follow the same annealing process as above.
And there you have it! The very basics you need to know about how to anneal metal, the annealing metal process and how to create beautiful silver wire jewellery pieces. If you’re looking for some more tips on how to create metal jewellery, then why not check out our other making silver jewellery guides.
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