Brass Cathode

[andrewmccoy38]

Good Afternoon Everyone,

I’m looking at building my first silver cell and was curious, instead of a graphite block or stainless bowl, can brass be used as the cathode? I’ve been trying to do research on the topic but cannot find any information.

Thanks

 

[Master Nater]

why would you want to do that? you can't afford the $20 ss bowl? zinc (one of the elements of the brass alloy) is HIGHLY REACTIVE on the reactivity series of metals, and will not like being in your electrolyte.

 

[nickvc]

Very very bad idea use a piece of stainless steel or graphite or a stainless bowl or you will encounter problems. If you decide to use stainless steel check it’s not magnetic.

 

[Yggdrasil]

Good Afternoon Everyone,

I’m looking at building my first silver cell and was curious, instead of a graphite block or stainless bowl, can brass be used as the cathode? I’ve been trying to do research on the topic but cannot find any information.

Thanks

Welcome to us.
I find that your research amount is on the shy side of what is necessary.
The advice you have been given is good.

Here is for your continuing research:

We ask our new members to do 3 things.
1. Read C.M. Hokes book on refining jewelers scrap, it gives an easy introduction to the most important chemistry regarding refining.
It is free here on the forum: https://goldrefiningforum.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=54&t=19798
2. Then read the safety section of the forum: https://goldrefiningforum.com/forums/safety.47/
3. And then read about "Dealing with waste" in the forum: https://goldrefiningforum.com/threads/dealing-with-waste.10539/

Suggested reading:
https://goldrefiningforum.com/forums/the-library.101/
https://goldrefiningforum.com/threads/when-in-doubt-cement-it-out.30236/
https://goldrefiningforum.com/threa...le-read-this-before-you-post-about-ore.33333/


Forum rules is here.
https://goldrefiningforum.com/threads/gold-refining-forum-rules.31182/

 

[andrewmccoy38]

why would you want to do that? you can't afford the $20 ss bowl? zinc (one of the elements of the brass alloy) is HIGHLY REACTIVE on the reactivity series of metals, and will not like being in your electrolyte.

I don’t want to do it, and yes I can afford a $20 bowl. Like I stated, was just curious on what can and cannot be used. If you can’t ask questions, what’s the point of a forum? Thanks for the reply though.

 

[andrewmccoy38]

Very very bad idea use a piece of stainless steel or graphite or a stainless bowl or you will encounter problems. If you decide to use stainless steel check it’s not magnetic.

Thank you. Was just curious. I wasn’t seeing much online and figured I’d ask here.

 

[nickvc]

I don’t want to do it, and yes I can afford a $20 bowl. Like I stated, was just curious on what can and cannot be used. If you can’t ask questions, what’s the point of a forum? Thanks for the reply though.

Many of the members have long experience in recovery and refining so they forget that new members don’t yet fully understand what reacts to what chemicals , it takes time and lots of reading to get to the starter stage in my opinion .
We actually encourage questions as I’m sure you will not be the only one with the same questions and asking is better than making a complete mess that may leave you feeling like giving up.
Many many processes and other topics are fully discussed here on the forum and we encourage new members to do the basics like reading , or will save much time and grief later.

 

[Master Nater]

I don’t want to do it, and yes I can afford a $20 bowl. Like I stated, was just curious on what can and cannot be used. If you can’t ask questions, what’s the point of a forum? Thanks for the reply though.

i am/was still generally interested on why such a question came to mind. but, to blindly answer your question, here goes. in order to keep your cell producing a pure product, you have to use materials that will not want to go into solution while you are refining you desired element. in order to dissolve silver and pass silver ions through your electrolyte, people generally use silver nitrate. this is pure silver dissolved in nitric acid. that same electrolyte solution will want to dissolve the metals that could contaminate it. any equipment used in your cell must be able to withstand the electrolyte, while the process is running. brass will dissolve in a silver electrolyte, as it contains mostly copper and some zinc (depending upon the alloy of brass). in fact, zinc will react violently with silver nitrate, depending upon how warm your solution is. i'm not sure how violenly the brass will react as an alloy, but i'm sure it will go into solution, and eat up any free nitrate while precipitating out any/all silver in said solution. you see, anything below silver on the reactivity series of metals will contaminate your electrolyte, and when your electrolyte reaches a particular level of contamination, it will begin contaminating your finished product. these metals would include copper, zine, iron, etc. this is why nick was ensuring that your SS bowl is non-magnetic, as it would contain too much iron and would allow it to give up iron ions and contaminate your finished product. a non-magentic stainless steel will not give up those iron ions, as they are bonded with the other ingredients of the stainless alloy. you could use pure gold, or PGM metals, or titanium for you cathode, but dollar for dollar, non-magnetic stainless steel is the most economical way of holding the electrolyte, being an electrode to pass electrical current and silver ions, while not dissolving/contaminating into your electrolyte. please take a little time to familiarize yourself with the reactivity series of metals. the first i was introduced to it, was a video of waste solution disposal from sreetips. he is very good at explaining the broad strokes of chemistry. i hope this helps.