[Jewelry making - Article 00002] - Re: [Orchid] Bi-Metal Casting

[LEESSILVER]

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Hi Tim,

    I use silver wire in hollow wax designs as reinforcing  rods.  Some
    times I have the same problem you described. The silver wire is
    coated with a hard coppery colored investment layer. 

    I break off the coating and use the wire as scrap silver in my  next
    pour. The wire is just like you described.  It is rough. I have
    noticed that the wire does not melt as rapidly as sterling silver. 

    It may be just a stupid guess but I believe copper is precipitating
    out of the sterling and imbedding itself into the investment  around
    the silver. That is what causes the hard copper colored  investment.
    Is it possible the silver has been somewhat refined into fine silver
    and melts at a higher temp? 

    I find the coating problem occurs in flasks that are in the  back of
    the burn out surrounded by other flasks. My guess is that these
    flasks see a higher temp than the ones in the front of the burnout
    oven.  

You might try lowering the burnout temp.
Lee Epperson

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