Does anybody have experience with enamelling in inert atmosphere? Argon cover gas in muffle kiln to protect silver or copper to form copper oxides.

 

 

Aluminum welding Argon and there is no oxidation.
How to do the same in copper in the furnace. Foundry furnaces are cover with argon. It can apply the same to the furnace emalierskiego? They do not destroy spirals?

This post was edited by Leszek Kralka at December 6, 2015 4:38 AM EST

Hi Leszek

I have small Uhlig U15 kiln and there is small hole on the back for thermometer. I will try to put small stainless steel tube connected to argon flask and fill the inside chamber with argon. Then use two copper plates, one with etched design and enamel and one plain to react with the oxygen in the kiln. The enamelled one will be down because argon is heavier than air and the plain copper plate will be cca 2cm higher to catch any oxygen in the kiln. I will make stand from steel mesh with two "floors" bottom for enamelled piece upper for plain copper plate. In industry the argon is purified by hot copper plate that will catch any oxygen remains. So my option is fill the chamber with argon, open the door, put the two stacked copper plates inside,because argon is heavier the enamelled piece will be as close to the bottom of the furnace as possible and because the oxygen that will enter the kiln will be on the top of the chamber the plain copper plate will catch any residue of the oxygen. I don´t know what will happen when I take the piece FROM the kiln and the copper will be still hot. Probably I will let the piece cool down in the middle of the kiln door, I am not sure about the temperature that the copper oxides can form on the plate.

Btw. Electrum waiting on my bench for few days doesn´t look to form any oxides or discoloring:)

Rudolf

Hello Rudolf.

I bake U15. Argon in the oven is no problem - just will not damage the spiral?

What's next ? As wyciądniesz from the oven and as the copper oxidizes.
Do not leave the furnace because the enamel will burn.

Perhaps the furnace chamber with argon ??? as sanding booths?

Edmund founded the similar theme and described to soak the whole thing in flux?

Yours Leszek