Silver is the most common precious metal. It is used in the manufacture of jewelry, electronic products, medical devices and for multiple industrial purposes. It was the most important trading currency in the world until the end of the nineteenth century; also for this reason, it is available in abundance and people currently love to work with it for different projects. However, although it is a beautiful metal and a good starting point for many novice artisans, casting remains a relatively complicated process to perform without the right experience. Fortunately, with a little knowledge, work and the right materials, even a novice person can be able to melt and shape silver at home.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Gather the Materials
Step 1. Get some objects to blend
You have to find something made of silver to melt; although it is considered a rare metal, it is actually quite common and present in everyday life. It is usually used for jewelry making, although it is possible to find some medals and coins; it also finds application in industry.
- Traditionally this metal is used for the creation of coins, jewelry, decorative elements and cutlery. These are also the objects that are usually melted down.
- In industry, silver is used to make batteries, ball bearings, electronic boards, membrane switches, television screens, to solder or braze other metal objects, and as a catalyst for the production of chemicals. Be very careful when casting objects that may contain other hazardous materials.
- Emerging technologies exploiting this metal are medicine, solar energy and water purification. Silver minimizes bacterial growth by blocking the ability of microorganisms to bond, is used to block the spread of pathogens and to promote healing.
Step 2. Find a foundry crucible
It is a container used for the production of metals. Typically, it is made of clay, aluminum, graphite, and silicon carbide. These materials are very heat resistant and do not melt at the same temperatures you are trying to bring the silver you want to melt.
- Check that it is the right size for your project and that it is in good condition. Don't take an old crucible with cracks or too many signs of wear.
- You will need to use it to contain the silver as it melts and turns into a liquid substance.
- Next, you can pour the metal from the crucible into a mold.
- This tool is available in hardware stores that deal with foundry material and at many online retailers.
Step 3. Get some good sturdy crucible tongs
They are used to move the container when necessary and represent a fundamental tool, because the crucible is too hot to be touched with the hands, even if protected by gloves. Make sure that:
- The pliers are specific for grasping the crucible.
- They are in good condition.
- They are large enough to move the crucible.
- Buy them at a hardware store, a store specializing in foundry supplies, or online.
Step 4. Purchase a graphite stick to mix
You should have a good quality one that you will need to mix the molten silver and make sure it is completely liquid before pouring it into the mold.
- Make sure the stick can withstand the temperatures reached by the molten metal.
- Buy one that is long enough to mix any amount of liquid silver.
- You can find it in foundry supply stores or online.
Step 5. Get a furnace or blowtorch
You will need this tool to heat the silver to its melting point. For this reason, it is an indispensable element of your project. Depending on the amount of metal you have chosen to work with, you can opt for a furnace or blowtorch. Here are some factors to consider:
- The furnace could be prohibitively expensive if you want to carry out small-scale work, for example melting a few grams of silver every two weeks. However, if you plan to melt a lot of silver every weekend or more frequently, you should seriously consider purchasing this machine.
- A blowtorch may be inefficient for melting large amounts of silver.
- If you're just starting out, you should start with the blowtorch and then move on to the furnace as your hobby becomes more challenging.
- You can get these tools at a foundry supply store, specialty hardware store, or online.
Step 6. Make or create a mold
With the mold you can shape the molten silver and create the final object; for this reason, it is a very important element. Here are some things to consider:
- The molds can be made of wood, some special alloys, ceramic or clay.
- They may be among the least expensive items in your gear.
- You can build them or buy them in specialized stores and online.
- To make the shape, choose a material such as wood or clay. Carve or shape the material in the size you prefer and with all the details you want. If you have opted for ceramic or clay, you will need to bake it at temperatures higher than 537 ° C.
Step 7. Purchase Personal Protective Equipment
Melting silver or any other metal is potentially very dangerous. You will need to have excellent quality protections. Remember to take many preventative measures when you work and do not proceed if you are not adequately protected. Get:
- Safety glasses approved for use in the presence of splashes of molten metal.
- Industrial gloves approved for molten metal.
- Industrial apron that is able to protect you from liquid metal splashes.
- Face mask approved against molten metal.
- You can purchase all protective equipment at online stores and foundry supply resellers.
Part 2 of 3: Melting the Silver
Step 1. Put on the protectors and secure the work area
Before you start melting and shaping silver, you need to grab all protective gear and put it on. The smelting of any type of metal is a very dangerous activity, so there is no reason to take risks.
- Put on your goggles, gloves, gown, and face mask.
- Gather the mixing stick and any other materials you will need as you work.
- Tell family members or people living with you what you are doing and lock all dogs or pets in an area away from your melting shop.
Step 2. Place the crucible with the silver object on top of or inside the furnace
The first thing you need to do is place the silver in the crucible and place it in the furnace or on top of it, depending on the model of machinery available to you. You do not have to heat the furnace and then insert the metal into it, as this increases the chances of harming yourself.
Step 3. Raise the internal temperature of the furnace to a higher level than the melting point of silver
At this point you need to heat the machine to the correct temperature. Depending on the model you have, it may even take some time. Here's what to consider:
- The melting point of silver is 961.8 ° C.
- Check the internal temperature of the furnace as it heats up. Most of these equipments are equipped with an external thermometer that helps you with this task; if it isn't there, you should install it.
- Do not mine the silver until it is completely melted.
- Use the furnace only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area designed specifically for this type of work.
Step 4. Bring the blowtorch close to silver if you have chosen this method
If you have decided to use a smaller crucible and want to melt only small amounts of metal, you can opt for a blowtorch. In this case, take the tool and bring the flame closer to the silver. Keep the fire in contact with the metal by heating it slowly.
- Make sure you know how to use such a torch before using it to melt metal.
- Direct the flame directly at the silver object.
- It is difficult to monitor the temperature with this technique. However, many torches are equipped with a thermometer; if your model does not have it, simply wait for the metal to become completely liquid.
- The time required to complete this operation depends on the type of silver alloy and the size of the object.
- Break large pieces of silver into smaller fragments and melt them in smaller quantities to ensure even heat distribution which, consequently, allows for faster times.
- You can do more research online to find specific instructions on melting silver with a blowtorch.
Part 3 of 3: Modeling the Silver
Step 1. Remove the crucible when the silver is melted
When the metal has reached the liquid state, you need to take the crucible out of the furnace (if this is the tool you used) and prepare to shape it in the mold. Be very cautious at this stage as it is potentially dangerous:
- Put on gloves.
- Take the heat-resistant tongs and grab the crucible with them.
- Place the crucible next to the mold.
- Be sure to wear safety shoes and all personal protective equipment.
- If you used the blowtorch, take the tongs and move the crucible close to the mold you are about to use.
Step 2. Remove the surface slag from the silver
Use the graphite stick or other similar tool to remove the surface layer of the molten metal. This is an accumulation of impurities and other materials that have separated from the silver during melting. This layer can be composed of substances other than silver that have been previously fused with it or it could be impurities of the precious metal. Regardless of the reason for its presence, always remove this layer before modeling the silver.
- Take the graphite stick and slide it gently and evenly across the surface of the liquid metal.
- Then slide the flat part of the stick under the dirt layer and lift it off the silver.
- Put the layer of impurities in a safe place, as you could re-melt it to extract any traces of silver in it.
Step 3. Quickly pour the metal into the mold
Once extracted from the furnace and placed next to the mold, the silver should be quickly transferred into the formwork. You have to act as long as the silver is in a liquid state. Don't move too fast, though, to avoid splashing or injuring yourself. If the metal starts to harden, put it back into the furnace to heat it.
- Molten metal can be poured directly into molds or molds to create a variety of items such as jewelry, decorative items, cutlery, containers and tableware.
- Pour it carefully and slowly to transfer all the metal into the mold and make sure it acquires the shape and angle you want.
- Depending on the size of the project, it may be necessary to use centrifugal force to allow the silver to reach all points of the formwork.
- Wait for the metal to cool and solidify.
Step 4. Remove the metal from the mold
Wait a few minutes for it to become cold. It could take two minutes or twenty, depending on the size and depth of the metal layer. Ultimately, deciding when to get metal out of the mold is an art that depends on many factors, including the type of mold. You will eventually learn through a process of trial and error, but remember:
- Depending on the mold, it may be better to wait a little longer and be forced to break the shape, rather than having to melt the silver again.
- Once the metal appears dry, wait another minute for the inner portion to cool down a little more.
- When you take the object out of the mold, wear protective gloves, apron and even face protection. This way you are safe from any splashes in case the heart of the object is still liquid.
- Grab the mold and tap it hard against a hard surface. At this point the silver should come off.
Step 5. Harden the metal
After taking it out of the mold, you should harden the silver, a process that involves making it cool and harden by submerging it in water. This is the final stage of the work.
- Take the pliers and lift the silver object or bar.
- Slowly dip it in clean or distilled water.
- As you go, the surrounding water should start boiling and steaming.
- Let it soak for a while, until the water stops boiling and the steam production has stopped.
- Take the silver out of the water and be proud of your work!
Warnings
- Like all molten metals, silver can cause third degree burns on contact alone. Avoid splashing and pay attention while you wait for the metal to cool; it may look completely normal, but still be at 200 ° C.
- Eliminate all flammable material from the work area, as temperatures above 300 ° C can cause the immediate combustion of many substances.
- Melting silver requires proper preparation, the right materials and safety precautions. You will have to work with molten metals and hot materials that endanger your safety and that of the people around you. Do not proceed if you are unsure.
