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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2020
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    Default Identifying copper alloys

    Hi,

    About 7 years ago, I purchased some small copper sheets on ebay. They are about 3/32" thick by 2" x 3". I've used them for various small projects around the house and for some keychains, knife handles etc.

    I read about the dangers of process BeCu alloys and as a hobbyist, I was not aware of this metal. I have no way of contacting the seller at this point to find out what the alloy of copper I have could be.

    Is there a way to distinguish "normal" copper from BeCu alloys? This copper gets very soft when annealed, it gets noticeably harder from working but is easily annealed again by heating red hot and then cold water quenching it.

    Thanks.

    Holiday

  2. #2
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    Dec 2014
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    I am not aware of any economical method i.e. have it tested by a laboratory.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2020
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    Aren't there any anecdotal ways of making an educated guess, such as work properties, coloration, reactions to heat?

  4. #4
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    Default

    E.g. http://www.minsocam.org/ammin/AM31/AM31_82.pdf

    Other than that, if you've any doubts about it send some off to be XRF tested.

    However, if you bought copper rather than specifically buying beryllium copper, I'd be surprised if it were that - it's a more expensive alloy for one thing. A quick skim of Ebay suggests >2* the price.

    Beryllium dust is nasty stuff; when I worked around parts containing it, we had a separate bin specifically for it (and any parts that were suspected of containing BeCu).

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2020
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    PS Bond said:

    Other than that, if you've any doubts about it send some off to be XRF tested.

    Hmm... where could I have it XRF tested and what would the cost be?

    Here are some images of the last remaining piece I have. I bought three or four of these plates, all had this thin blue film on one side. They were bright and coppery looking when I first got them, but being that it was 7 years ago the patina has made it look a little paler. I think I paid around $15 for all of it. Not sure if the look or blue film indicates anything. The piece next to it is a side to a small pocket knife I am making.

    Click image for larger version. 

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    I guess I should add that I have already made several small items out of this stuff and I've never had any bad reactions to the dust from sanding, filing or grinding it.
    Last edited by holiday; 14-11-2020 at 05:02 PM.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
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    South Australia
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    I think most Assay offices would be able to perform XRF, I can pretty well guarantee it will not be economically viable, if you are concerned just scrap it and purchase the certified stuff it is only copper after all and is not going to cause a great financial loss
    to replace it

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