ww-hardness

06 January 2003, 14:31

475/480

ww-hardness

started melting ww this weekend into ingots,some come out at 10bhn others at 11-12.5bhn,one hour after melting is this normal,or something not to worry about.thanks

06 January 2003, 14:52

aladin

quote:
Originally posted by 475/480:
started melting ww this weekend into ingots,some come out at 10bhn others at 11-12.5bhn,one hour after melting is this normal,or something not to worry about.thanks

I'll assume those ingots are all from the same batch of melt? Some might look frosted being poured much hotter [actually the ingot mold is hotter and the cooling rate is much slower] and will test harder.

I segregate each different meltdown in their own container. Usually the differences are minor-- but their different just the same.

[ 01-06-2003, 05:53: Message edited by: aladin ]

08 January 2003, 07:06

Paul B

Wheel weight will age harden over time. I had one batch that measured BHN 8 harden to almost BHN 10 after a few months. Another batch that was BHN 12 are now BHN 15 in about the same time frame. I usually cast bullets in a marathon casting session and try to fill three ound coffee cans to the top with whatever bullet I'm casting. Then, they get used up over the following year or so, depending on what I'm shooting. I just check them for hardness every once in a while to see where they're at.
Paul B.