In reply to R. Maddin
You may have to wait until after May Day to get an answer from someone at
Bradford where I have seen this done.
As a one time melter (though 50 years ago!) I would have covered a crucible
of molten copper with charcoal (or anthracite) to prevent oxidation (and
maybe stirred it with a stick too). In a charcoal fired crucible furnace
this would probably have happened anyway. In antiquity they would surely
have used a stick to stir it. This must change the oxygen activity in favour
of reducing the cassiterite.
Peter Hutchison.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|