Will adding non melted metal to already melted metal cause explosions or is it dangerous?
Question:If I have metal that is already melted in a furance and I directly add non melted metal to it would this be considered dangerous or non recommended. If able to what safety steps would you recommend inorder to prevent a possible accident.
Answers:
This can be very dangerous. Splash back is a big problem when adding the metal and if it gets on you there is now a big problem. All metals are generally a specific alloy which is different chemical compositions. A lot of metals that look similar have different alloys. It could be a minor difference such as a higher magnesium content and a lower aluminum content but it is still aluminum. When magnesium burns, it is very dangerous. Plus, if adding you should wear a protective suit safety shield and hood. you need to be sure no moisture is present. Moisture WILL cause an explosion. If you are very careful it can be done but no moisture can be present.
If the metal you are adding is the same as the metal that is already molten, it's safe.
If you are alloying metals, you may run into problems. Even if the metals do not react with each other, the alloy may have a higher melting point than before.
In that case, the metal solidifies, and you may not have a hot enough furnace to melt it. In that case, you have to chip out the metal, slowly and laboriously.
adding cold metal to melted metal can cause a problem. warm the metal beside or on top of the furnace first. It's not the temp of the metal but the moisture on or in the cold metal that's the problem. Especially with aluminum, but other metals to.
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