Nickel recycling problem
Nickel recycling problem
(OP)
Hello everyone! We have a large quantity of paint masks made with nickel inserts soldered into steel frames. Each mask is on average 2' square with around 3 lbs. of nickel per mask. We're trying to recover as much nickel as possible as cleanly as possible to recycle and get a good value. The solder is 50:50 tin/lead.
We could heat the frames and remove the nickel inserts, but there would still be a substantial amount of solder contamination on the nickel. I've been told (although I haven't verified this) that contamination will bring down the value of the nickel substantially. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to proceed with this? I'd appreciate any guidance.
We could heat the frames and remove the nickel inserts, but there would still be a substantial amount of solder contamination on the nickel. I've been told (although I haven't verified this) that contamination will bring down the value of the nickel substantially. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to proceed with this? I'd appreciate any guidance.





RE: Nickel recycling problem
Heating the nickel-contaminated strips in concentrated acetic acid might dissolve the lead and leave the nickel, but I'm not sure what you'd do about the tin.
RE: Nickel recycling problem
http://www.nickelinstitute.org/1/1/index1.shtml
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RE: Nickel recycling problem
RE: Nickel recycling problem
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RE: Nickel recycling problem
Like moltenmetal suggests, I definitely have to remove the steel. I've thought about both mechanical removal of solder and cutting them out of the frames. Both are definitely options. We have about 2000 of them, so I'm concerned about efficiency and time more than anything. With that many I don't know if an acetic acid bath is practical?
It looks like my best bet will be to heat the frames, remove the inserts, and then grind off any excess solder. In some cases it will probably be more effective to just cut out the nickel like EdStainless suggested.
Thanks again, everyone
RE: Nickel recycling problem
RE: Nickel recycling problem
Best regards - Al
RE: Nickel recycling problem
What is the width of solder boundary?
How thick is the remaining solder?
RE: Nickel recycling problem
In my career,I have always declined to undertake such risky missions,though on paper it appeared lucrative. The temptaions are strong,but the risks are also too many. Just my humble opinion on the subject.
RE: Nickel recycling problem
Your cautions about the environmental and health and safety consequences of doing this wrong should certainly be paid proper attention. That said, considering how much environmental damage is done in the mining and refining of fresh mineral resources to replace the ones we waste, more people should be thinking like the OP - for environmental rather than purely economic reasons.
RE: Nickel recycling problem
History: 50:50 was the best solder to use for auto body/fender work before polyester/fiberglas in the 1960's. It was not a health problem in body shops.
RE: Nickel recycling problem
As posted above shear off the part with the solder, sell as mixed metal. Sell the remaining nickel as good material.
I checked the two biggest scrap people here and neither one would give fair market value for the good Nickel. The reason stated is they don't handle enough of the material to make it worth their time. So you may have to look around for a buyer for your Nickel. I would check around to see what penalty you would take for contaminated Nickel.
Also as above you might wipe the solder off with a piece of ceramic textile fabric, I can't tell you what we used to wipe solder, but it starts with an "A"
If you have a large quantity of solder on each piece you might want to make a wooden paddle, soak it in oil to use to wipe the solder off.
Other possible ways to remove solder.
We used a molten salt bath operating about 150°F above the liquidus of the solder. I don't recall the salt mixture.
On small parts and low quantities we had a vacuum apparatus that worked like the ones used for CB's but larger.
Depending on the quantity needed to be removed, you might look at the cheaper pure copper scrubbing pads. Make sure you flux the copper.
RE: Nickel recycling problem
The best of both worlds , they should be able to take your material to make "german silver", white colored brass alloys where a little lead and tin would not matter.
RE: Nickel recycling problem