Help with annealing!!!

[rides20]

I got my first few pieces of aluminum today it is: 5052 H32 .050 thick. Is it possible to anneal this with a MAPP gas torch? And if so, how???. I've tried heating it up and cooling it rapidly, but it doesn't seem to have made the metal any different!..Any help would be great!..Thanks

[Hemirambler]

Rides20,

Most guys will soot it up with an ACETYLENE RICH flame. The temperature in which the soot burns off clean is ABOVE the annealing temp but below melting (not by much though :roll: )

In the winter I don't like to run too much "soot" into the air and instead I have used a plain old BLACK PERMANENT MARKER - a "SHARPIE" to be exact. And while I won't claim it too work as good as soot (better coverage for one) I will say I have done it with good results. Matter of fact my last batch of Spun Christmas Bells were ALL annealed that way!

CAUTION: Annealing aluminum is one of those things where you are right on the cusp of disaster (temp wise) you want to keep that torch moving!!! No dilly dalying or your gonna make some scrap fast.

FWIW Those bells were all annealed using plain old Propane (Benz-o-matic) so I don't see why mapp wouldn't work either.

Rapid cooling is not necessary for your aluminum parts. Not suggesting it's bad - I just didn't find it necessary - it might help prevent getting soem unwanted burns though :oops:


Good Luck - let us know how you make out!!



Jacin in Ohio



SOMB

[rides20]

Thanks Jacin.....would you just make lines on the surface and heat until they're gone? What exactly would you do w/ the marker?..Sorry for sounding dumb!!!! Again thanks for the info so far!

[Gene_Olson]

Thanks Jacin.....would you just make lines on the surface and heat until they're gone? What exactly would you do w/ the marker?..Sorry for sounding dumb!!!! Again thanks for the info so far!

That's pretty much it. I try to heat from the opposite side of the metal when feasible. You need to keep your eye on the lines and to keep the torch moving. It is way to easy to melt a spot if you pause in one spot.

Gene

[mr.c]

I have an old Myron Stevens video around here somewhere. His method for checking for the correct temperature was to use a wood match stick. If the match stick left a mark when rubbed on the hot metal,it was hot enough.