[TheForge] Re: New Discoveries: Ersatz EZ Weld

[David E. Smucker]

I know that the Boric Acid - Red Iron Oxide flux works -- I have seen it in 
operation a number of time, but have not used it myself.  What so far is 
hard to understand is the role of the Iron Oxide.  The Boric Acid provides a 
acidic flux and takes in oxides, (fluidizes them) at below there normal 
melting temperature, which is higher than the melting point of the steel. 
That means (I think) that the red iron oxide added fluidizes in the molten 
boric acid -- maybe in some way that helps remove the more complex oxides on 
the surface of our steel ????  Any CO that is present in our fire can reduce 
the red iron oxide to pure iron and maybe again that is part of the process. 
?????

The use of lime is going the other way and makes a basic flux.  Basic slags 
are an important part of many steel making process.

We need a physical chemist in this discussion

Dave
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Paul" <crosspein at sbcglobal.net>
To: "Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2008 8:43 AM
Subject: Re: [TheForge] Re: New Discoveries: Ersatz EZ Weld


> I've been using a mixture of Boric Acid and Red Iron Oxide (equal parts by 
> weight) for several months with good results.
>
> Bob Becker mentioned it last summer in his demo at UMBRC.
>
> My opinions on it (prior experience with straight borax and anhydrous 
> borax):
>    My welds came out fine
>    It doesn't stick as well to the red iron as anhydrous borax.
>    But it does clean up after the weld a lot better than borax.
>    It doesn't leech back out later (or if it does, it's a LOT less 
> visible)
>
> Granted my welding experience is "modest", but I try to weld something 
> every time I light up the forge.  (1-2 times/week, a little less over 
> winter)
>
> I've seen mixtures that add either regular borax to the mix, as well as 
> flourospar , but I haven't tried any of these.
>
> I have sometimes noticed some sparking "a little early". I'm wondering if 
> the iron filings and oxide serve as a bit of an "alert" to tell you it's 
> hot enough? I usually just dampen the airflow at that point to let it soak 
> in a reducing fire while maintaining welding heat. (Oh, coal forge here)
>
> **paul
>
> Peter Hirst wrote:
>> Its the iron oxide part I dont understand.  As I appreciate it, flux has 
>> two purposes.  To shield the joint from oxygen so that no oxide on the 
>> sufaces can interfere with metal bonding, and also to actually dissolve 
>> any oxides or other impurities that are there and float them away from 
>> the weld. Adding oxide to the flux would seem to defeat one or both.
>>
>> ANyway, EZ Weld does contain about 15 percent boric acid, so I guess I'll 
>> ad about that proportion of  COnmat to the mix and let the mineral 
>> content of the 20 Mule Team stand in for the "slag" component.  so my 30 
>> bucks worth costs me about 1.50.  Still not bad.
>>
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "David E. Smucker" 
>> <davesmucker at hotmail.com>
>> To: "Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
>> Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2008 8:05 AM
>> Subject: Re: [TheForge] Re: New Discoveries: Ersatz EZ Weld
>>
>>
>>> Some smiths around here use a flux that is a mixture of boric acid 
>>> (roach kill) and iron oxide.  They get the iron oxide from the pottery 
>>> suppliers. I don't understand the chemistry of what is happening at the 
>>> melt temperatures.  This flux seems to work very well for them.
>>>
>>> Da
>>>
>>
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