Torch melting of brass

Jewelry Discussion
1

This is a ‘newbie’ question. Does torch melting of brass produce
toxic fumes?

Thanks for such a splendid site.
Jean

2 
This is a 'newbie' question. Does torch melting of brass produce
toxic fumes?

Yes, torch melting of copper/zinc alloys will put zinc fumes in the
air. You need good fume control. I gave myself a horrid case of “zinc
flue” casting brass. Since then, I have gone to exclusively
copper/tin alloy bronze.

Ron Charlotte – Gainesville, FL

3

Hi Ron,

Did pretty much the same thing, got zinc flu for 48 hours.

I still cast brass (although a tin bronze is my favorite), but I
make sure I wear a fume mask.

Regards Charles A.

4 
Did pretty much the same thing, got zinc flu for 48 hours. I still
cast brass (although a tin bronze is my favorite), but I make sure
I wear a fume mask.

I have worked out a design for a decent side draft exhaust system
that shouldn’t give me torch headaches. I just need to put all the
parts together (a few years of HVAC work comes in handy,
sometimes…) Once I build that hotwork bench, I’ll feel safrer with
brass and a few other noxious items, like compounding niello. (Had
asthma as a child, I am touchy about things that affect my
lungs…).

All said and done, I prefer the casting properties of the bronze,
hands down…

Ron Charlotte

5 
All said and done, I prefer the casting properties of the bronze,
hands down...

Beautiful stuff isn’t it :slight_smile: CIA