Is this zinc contaminated lead?

[meltleadalot2693]

Here is a pic of suspect zinc contaminated lead. This lead pours like wet sand or like oatmeal. The ingots have a very noticeable ring to them and a slightly wrinkled surface. They are very similar in color to some zinc I melted in the past.

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[Shoemoo]

I've heard zinc contaminated lead has a texture like oatmeal, so I'd say you're probably correct.

 

[Fatman]

That's out of your hot pot??? If it is looks that rain you left it out in one time did damage it!!

 

[meltleadalot2693]

That is not my hot pot! It is a steel pan that I got at the goodwill for about 1 or 2 dollars. I heat this pan with a hotplate to melt some lead. I have several different pans for different alloys.

 

[Fatman]

Think you better get a better one then. Plus I thought you got rid of all that stuff.

 

[meltleadalot2693]

This was my custom alloy but I added a little piece in it that I melted with a torch and got a blob hot enough that it burned through the bottom of an aluminum can and I think the blob of metal was from a tin zinc alloy ornament that looks like pewter but isn't. I also let some zinc from the ornament melt or dissolve in the mix that wouldn't melt with the torch and I think that could have messed up the alloy. I think I might make this lead into 1 and 1 1/2oz bank sinkers.

 

[Hawnjigs]

Looks like classic zinc sludge. I've gotten zinc ornamental "pewter" several times. You have now learned the hard way like I did about zinc contamination. My first wheel weight melt a dozen years ago I didn't know about zinc wheel weights, and kept raising the temp until those stubborn floaters finally melted.

MLAL, like others, you're getting me worried. Torching mystery metal in an aluminum can is entering the realm of serious carelessness. You know about flammable metals, yes?

 

[meltleadalot2693]

I did an acid test on one of the ingots I made from this alloy, seems to be zinc as it severely discolored the ingots and caused white colored area to form where I poured the acid on. I could use this alloy to make flat square weights and use them as paper weights.

 

[Hawnjigs]

The saline and acidic component of perspiration may accellerate leaching of handled lead. So, maybe paper weights not a good idea?

Never heard of an acid test - don't think I'd mess with potentially toxic fumes and residue. Zinc contamination is pretty obvious by observation, and you have.

 

[Fatman]

Block it all out and take it to the scrap yard - just quit messing around with it. Take what you can get even if it's a loss, less agrivation all around