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Step 2Science + disclaimer
How does it work?
In it's most basic form the microwave is being used to generate heat to an element which then melts the metal, while not arcing the magnetron to the metal to be melted.
The microwave I used was an 850W microwave (model: GE 3850W3W081A), I used regular bricks to build the hearth to keep the crucible and a silicon-carbide material as the heating element (I also used building insulation to try and keep the heat directed inwards, a terrible terrible mistake). The insulation was an addition I incorporated after reading another smelting article and attempting to blend methods to achieve more effiecient results. However I didn't anticipate the reactions of all the elements together in my microwave. The outcome was a success, and a failure.
Next, I had to choose metals that I were readily available to anybody and wold have a low enough melting point to be melted in a regular microwave. For this experiment I chose 2 types of common plumbing solder, 50/50 blend of tin/lead and silver solder, having a melting point of 180-190 °C (360-370 °F) and 450 °C (840 °F) respectively. There's other metals that could be smelted this way, like zinc (and plutonium?). Maybe you can find other metals with low melting points, here's a good place to start.
To help focus the energy of the microwave I used silicon-carbide, which is a microwave susceptor: meaning it absorbs microwave energy and turns it into heat energy. Silicon-carbide can be found in block-knife sharpeners, but I found they were too expensive. Instead, I used a silicone-carbide rubbing stone for under $14 found at the hardware store.
The crucible I used was metal with a higher melting point that the melting I was attempting to smelt. My crucible was a regular stainless steel measuring cup (melting point of 1510°C [2750°F])
To recap:
Microwave: 850W
Tin/lead solder: 180-190 °C (360-370 °F)
Silver solder: 450 °C (840 °F)
Microwave susceptor: silicon-carbide rubbing stone
In it's most basic form the microwave is being used to generate heat to an element which then melts the metal, while not arcing the magnetron to the metal to be melted.
The microwave I used was an 850W microwave (model: GE 3850W3W081A), I used regular bricks to build the hearth to keep the crucible and a silicon-carbide material as the heating element (I also used building insulation to try and keep the heat directed inwards, a terrible terrible mistake). The insulation was an addition I incorporated after reading another smelting article and attempting to blend methods to achieve more effiecient results. However I didn't anticipate the reactions of all the elements together in my microwave. The outcome was a success, and a failure.
Next, I had to choose metals that I were readily available to anybody and wold have a low enough melting point to be melted in a regular microwave. For this experiment I chose 2 types of common plumbing solder, 50/50 blend of tin/lead and silver solder, having a melting point of 180-190 °C (360-370 °F) and 450 °C (840 °F) respectively. There's other metals that could be smelted this way, like zinc (and plutonium?). Maybe you can find other metals with low melting points, here's a good place to start.
To help focus the energy of the microwave I used silicon-carbide, which is a microwave susceptor: meaning it absorbs microwave energy and turns it into heat energy. Silicon-carbide can be found in block-knife sharpeners, but I found they were too expensive. Instead, I used a silicone-carbide rubbing stone for under $14 found at the hardware store.
The crucible I used was metal with a higher melting point that the melting I was attempting to smelt. My crucible was a regular stainless steel measuring cup (melting point of 1510°C [2750°F])
To recap:
Microwave: 850W
Tin/lead solder: 180-190 °C (360-370 °F)
Silver solder: 450 °C (840 °F)
Microwave susceptor: silicon-carbide rubbing stone
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Having said that, I have removed all my posts because after rereading them, they sounded(to me anyway) anything but respectful.
I apologize to anyone whom I have offended or made to feel less than the person they are. That is not me, That is not how I do things, that is not my way.
I do not agree with this instructable, and that is all I will ever say on this matter.
My apologies to all.
(So we should all have cancer!)
Silicon is currently under consideration for elevation to the status of a "plant beneficial substance by the Association of American Plant Food Control Officials (AAPFCO)." Silicon has been shown in university and field studies to improve plant cell wall strength and structural integrity, improve drought and frost resistance, decrease lodging potential and boost the plant's natural pest and disease fighting systems. Silicon has also been shown to improve plant vigor and physiology by improving root mass and density, and increasing above ground plant biomass and crop yields.
To wit:
Silicon as an element will rapidly passivate and form glass (SiO2) on the outside, Quartz if it is crystalline. Silicone is a polymer chain based off of silicon and oxygen, as well, but in -mer chain form and comes in an infinite number of combinations, as you well know, from medical grade to food grade to construction grade. Do you use powdered drinks? Invariably, one of the final ingredients will be "silica", which is nothing more than ground up glass (or highly refined and pure sand, however you want to put it).
I used to handle pure silicon wafers in a chip fab. The only reason to wear gloves is to protect the silicon from you, not the other way around.
To sum up, silicon is all around us. If silicon by itself caused cancer, no one would be left alive to tell the tale. That said, silicate fibers in the form of asbestos can cause mesothelioma, but implicating silicon is no more favorable than implicating oxygen.
I'm very sorry for your condition and wish you the best in your recovery, but also hope that you can help the public good by spreading and clearing up facts and not the alternative.
Add a colon to your link in your "start" link for melting points of metals.
Again I like this. It has me thinking about another project I have been thinking about for a couple of years. I'll give you a clue though. Your water bucket would be turned into an oil bucket, although water will work fine also.