agpodt77339 said:
What do you mean by bend? Does it have to bend easily? I can bend it, but I need pliers, and it is somewhat difficult. After bending one corner a little, it broke, but the other end did not break after bending it (but I only bent this end 10-20 degrees). The thinner mesh-like part bends easier, but if I try to bend it to fast, it breaks.
The fact that it breaks is very telling. The platinum alloys are tough, but ductile to some degree. For example, a crown, even one that has a porcelain face, can be beaten flat with a hammer and it won't break. The material I referenced doesn't bend-----it snaps----much like you described.
I would not really call it a blueish white color. It is a very shiny silver color.
You may have to overlook my comment in that regard. Having worked as a machinist for my entire life, I talk about the colors of metals somewhat differently than others do. Stainless, primarily 300 series, for example (like nickel), is yellow. It may not look yellow to you, but to a person that has machined a lot of stainless and aluminum, they are distinctly different colors. Aluminum is very white, much like silver, although different. Stainless has a distinct yellow cast. Lead is blue. Can you understand what I mean?
Yes, the material in question would be white, but compared to a platinum alloy, it would be bluish white. When it breaks, the end will have a very fine grain structure. It breaks clean----it doesn't tear in the least.
It also does not react well with acids. I did all my tests in a fume hood with heated acids. You may not have the same success with cold processes.
As I mentioned earlier, I do not have any acids, stannous chloride, or any other ways to test the material besides my small bottles of acid testing solutions (10k-22k +platinum). None of the acids would dissolve it.
I suggest you get better equipped, or be prepared to buy a lot of valueless materials. If you can not discern the values from the wastes, you shouldn't be investing in anything.
Are there some alloys that do not contain precious metals, but still do not dissolve in the testing acids? If so, how could I distinguish these metals from the real thing?
Lets look at it like this. You're asking for a fast and easy way to sort the materials. If it was that easy, everyone would do it. I'm afraid you're going to have to pay some dues.
You should invest in a good book (Hoke comes to mind) and read about testing procedures. You should also acquire a spot plate and a few chemical reagents that will allow you to make tests. Nitric acid alone is very helpful, and you need not acquire a large amount. A couple fluid ounces in a small bottle will perform a huge number of tests, and allow you to become familiar with reactions.
Get Hoke's books and read them. A whole new world will open up for you.
Harold
