Iron FE56

[ElectroTechie]

I'm an electronics engineer who is involved in an experiment where I need to locate a small piece of common Iron, atomic weight 56. I'm getting conflicting info on how to insure that I have FE 56 rather than other common types. This is probably a trivial question in this field, but can someone please tell me how <as a layman> I can easily discern FE 56 from the other isotopes. I only need to obtain a small piece approx 4" long - dia not important, for this experiment. Is iron "rebar" FE 56?
Your help is appreciated,
ElectroTechie

 

[Metalguy]

Rebar is steel, not iron. But either one will have about 91+ % of Fe56--is that close enough?

 

[NickE]

If you are looking for relatively pure elemental composition with a definate isotope (Fe56) then you might want to try a chemical supply house.

Try VWR Scientific.

nick

 

[unclesyd]

A source relative pure iron is the common nail. Also if you could get a piece of Armco iron, the stuff that soft metal ring joint gaskets are made from.

Both the following websites have iron with credentials.

http://www.espimetals.com/metals/catiron.htm

http://www.goodfellow.com

 

[sreid]

Is it possible someone is having some fun with you? Iron is composed of four stable isotopes of which Fe56 is about 91%. Separation of isotopes is extremely difficult since the isotopes are chemically identical. Although it is theoritically possible to get Fe56, I would think it would be extremely expensive.

 

[arunmrao]

Hoganas or Armco iron would be closest on a commercial grade. Lab chemical suppliers can be able to meet your needs.

 

[ElectroTechie]

I've been having browser problems <mozilla> that would not let me log in. That's why I haven't replied til now. :O(
........................
Thanks to everyone for all the tips. My "client" specified "common iron FE 56" be used as an "inductor" core, in order for his <experimental> device to work as designed. It sounds like I may have to purchase a small quantity from from a lab supplier as was suggested by Nick - just to be safe. You all made good points, and yes "sreid", you may "have a bit of fun" with me..... after all, if this didn't lead back to a valid request for some tech help <from a client/friend>, I'd suspect an April Fools joke was being played on me. ;O)
After some research I had more or less come to that same conclusion <as per sreid>, but I had the nagging feeling that I must have missed something, since my client suggested that FE-56 was "common". Perhaps 91% FE-56 is suitable. I'll have to speak to him about it. Even so, I'll still have to find a source for "iron", as I now see that it apparently comes in many grades, with differing amounts of each isotope. I had wondered about using wrought or cast iron, and one site even mentioned a type of slag supposedly containing a high concentration of FE56 <??>. Funny how something that sounded so simple at the start, could be so involved.
Thanks to all who replied for all the help. I'll go back and question the source of the request at this point. At least I'm armed with a little knowledge on the subject now (......and as we all know, a 'little' knowledge is a dangerous thing! ;O).
Cheers to all,
ElectroTechie

 

[NickE]

ElectroTechie-

I think that inductor cores are commonly fine-grained pressed compacts... you might be able to get a very available one from one of the electronics supply houses. IE mouser-digikey-allied

How big of an inductor do you need?
You may be able to remove the core from the (probably old style) common inductors in old tuning equipment.

nick

 

[NickE]

ElectroTechie-

I think that inductor cores are commonly fine-grained pressed compacts... you might be able to get a very available one from one of the electronics supply houses. IE mouser-digikey-allied

How big of an inductor do you need?
You may be able to remove the core from the (probably old style) common inductors in old tuning equipment.

nick

 

[sreid]

For powdered iron inductor cores, go to Micrometal, inc.

http://www.micrometals.com/

 

[sreid]

Another common choice for inductor cores is ferrite. Magnetics, Inc. is a good supplier

http://www.mag-inc.com/

 

[ElectroTechie]

Thanks for the latest tips, but this doesn't involve inductors as we normally know them. It's far removed from conventional electronic theory, where this particular <special> core is concerned. It's closer to the realm of physics rather than "normal" electronics theory. In this design standard inductors would be useless (I could have handled that with ease). Since a probable patent is involved I can't go into the details. Unfortunately, it doesn't make much sense without those details. Sorry I can't share it, but I've signed a non-disclosure statement. I spoke with the person involved today, and after all the questions raised he agreed to supply the FE himself, so that takes care of that. Thanks again to everyone for all the suggestions. Good to know that help is out there when you need it. :O)
ElectroTechie