Just crush the crucible really fine and cover with nitric. Filter solution, add HCl, AgCl precipitates out, filter again and you can either convert to AgO (safer, doesn't give off chlorine) or thermally decompose as is to release the gas and liberate your silver. If you have used gold or platinum in the crucibles after you've initially used nitric to get the silver out, you'll need to cover what's left with Aqua Regia and recover that way.
Do you use a reducing atmosphere for your pours (i.e. a torch blowing on the mould while you pour & afterwards?) & Do you find that affects the wavy lines effect?
As long as the torch heat is not hotter than the melt temperature it will freeze from the outside in giving waves Theoretically anyways I have not personally tried it, but it adheres to to physics
If not from graphite, what form? I've heard of wood, have cast iron & graphite.... what else is there?
Top secret. Have spend many weeks experimenting. I keep my finding, also have investing quite a bit into this. I want to make some jewelry and that's the next task. A milling machine would be nice and I am working to get one.
Yeah, the sand casting kinda opened up that whole sector of "other" materials for ingot molds apart from the obvious Iron or Graphite.
Wow I would stand back a motza distance with full PPE on, water and molten silver generally don't react well.Have you tried this? Ahh just did some research, i assumed pouring the silver into a cold potatoe, there are video's showing melting the silver 'in' a potatoe works well. At least New comers won't misinterpret this method like I did. Addendum do not pour molten silver into wood that contains any level of moisture,spitting of Hot burning molten silver often occurs admittedly its a dangerous but great way to get silver shot and hours of fun collecting it off your shed floor. I believe from memory 'ANT BULLION' experienced something similar in the early wood poor days
Slightly knock your graphite mould after pouring produces nice ripple effects as the silver solidifies or for the Johnny Knoxfields out there pour it into a centrifuge ( Disclaimer this is a joke and not recommended for so many reasons)
( For those that hasn't experience before ) There are thing that can and can't. Totally agree and good luck picking up the great exploding silver rain.
I had a mate many moons back that used to make his own lead sinkers for fishing and something similar to the video I posted happened and lost an eye and well all I can say is ware a face shield when doing so lol
...& Always remember (as was pointed out previously RE wood), moisture & molten metal are a recipe for disaster & pain!!
Always wear your PPE , as one may think it is SAFE for not doing so. We are dealing with molten metal potentially over 1500 degrees. Is good to hear from other what they have experienced. Like picking up hot metal by accident or even tools.
Custom Four Claws Thong that Chip's made Light weight, easily to swap crucible, Adjustable Horizontal and parallel. Right hand / Left hand pour. Made from Zinc coated rod. Does the handle get hot? No