silver solder

[Geo]

i didnt purchase the solder, so no receipt. i did not dilute the hcl. 1 quart starting and added another fluid cup an hour later. the reaction is covered, i removed the glass to get a good look at the bubbles and then covered it back up. its been three hours and theres about half the metal remaining and the solution is as clear as water. i just turned the heat off for the night. maybe the reaction will continue through the night and be complete by the morning.

there are some dark colored solids settling to the bottom already.

 

[NobleMetalWorks]

HVAC silver solder used to be 15% silver. It comes in a bar that is about 12" long and 1/8 inch wide. Its not always 15% these days. Generally it also contains phospohous. I have about 20lb or this stuff thats really corroded. Not much use for brazing pipes anymore. Ill see how yours turns out then give it a try.

Prove any silver content first, many copper phosphate braze rods have no silver at all.

Make an atomizer...

Melt and pour through the atomizer then selectively digest accordingly.

Scott

 

[madmax]

Damn thats freaky. I was at the ardware store the other day looking at the Mapp torches.
I saw the silver and thought about how you would go about recovery.

 

[tek4g63]

To get my solder to dissolve faster I do as others have suggested and make shot, or corn flakes. The way I do it is pretty simple.

Using a propane torch and a metal bucket of water. Just hold the solder over the bucket and hit it with the torch. It will melt pretty quickly and drip into the water. I've never tried dissolving a whole spool worth at once, but with the little batches I do, it dissolves in just a few hours.

 

[damezbullion]

i seen this on youtube, theres no update yet, dont tell me its still disolvong? hey Geo hope you good

Damian

 

[Geo]

i was going to update today.all the solder finally dissolved yesterday.i had to add another 50 ml's hcl.the solution is still as clear as water.the remaining solids are light and fluffy.ill rinse and incinerate and then dissolve in nitric acid and cement on copper.

 

[philddreamer]

You've motivated me to continue a process.
I have, what I believe to be, some type of silver alloy from some silver plated pans. A couple of years ago, when I first tried my hand at recovering silver, I melted the edges of the pans. The rim on them is what has the alloy. It melts at a lower temp than silver, but when I tried to dissolve them in HCl, I was left with black "corn flakes". After rinsing them, I placed them together with the rest of the material for future processing... I think "the future" is here! :mrgreen:
Thanks!
Phil

 

[skippy]

Phil, this stuff is usually pewter, although I was able to find some mention of pewters with silver additive. I'm curious to see how this turns out!

 

[damezbullion]

sounds good geo looking forward to your update