What temperature to anneal copper?

Webley91 · May 24, 2012

I finally managed to locate a piece of suitable copper tube for the replacement shell rotating bands mentioned here:

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/general/crimping-copper-ring-into-groove-round-steel-bar-231347/index2.html

I am planning to part off suitably sized rings from the length of tube.

What temperature would I need to anneal the rings at?

Thanks for any info.

atomarc · May 24, 2012

I routinely anneal brass...the books calls for any temperature between 800 to 1300 degrees F. This same book shows copper to anneal at between 700 to 1200 degrees F. I don't know about copper but with brass you can plunge into water after temp is reached OR merely let the item cool by itself...you get the same result, softer material.

Stuart

L Vanice · May 24, 2012

I have simply used a torch (air-acetylene, not a flashlight) to get the copper or brass to dull red heat. It is easiest to see the glow if you work in a dim place. You can water quench if you are in a hurry, but air cooling will get the same result.

Larry

Mark Rand · May 24, 2012

750°C or a reasonable red heat. Either leave to cool or quench. Quenching leads to less oxide build up and works identically to a slow cool for copper.

Heavey Metal · May 24, 2012

Anealing wont help you need to heat prior to crimping or the band will spin on the shell.

technocrat · May 24, 2012

About 800 deg. I've always used soap as an indicator. When it blackens (without direct flame) you are about right. For a hotter temp, put a light coating of soot on with an acetylene flame the heat with a slightly oxidising flame until the soot is gone. This gets you to around 1000 deg. Same temps for Aluminium.

Webley91 · May 25, 2012

Thanks for the replies everyone. I tried crimping and turning one today without annealing and it worked alright.

Heavey Metal said:
Anealing wont help you need to heat prior to crimping or the band will spin on the shell.

I presume you are talking about is spinning if the shell was fired? Unfortunately I am only doing these shells as collectors display pieces.

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What temperature to anneal copper?

Webley91

Cast Iron

atomarc

Diamond

L Vanice

Diamond

Mark Rand

Diamond

Heavey Metal

Banned

technocrat

Stainless

Webley91

Cast Iron

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