Melting Metal in a Crucible with an Arc Welder
It seems often the case that advances in technology and science happen because of an accident or curiosity. The case of melting metal in a crucible with an arc welder is a fine example. Henri Maissan decided to experiment with two carbon-graphite rods by running a current through them and sticking the rods in an insulated box. The result: an arc welder that could melt stones, gems and metal. About a century later, you can create your own furnace where you can melt metal (and other things) with your arc welder. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Fire brick
- Graphite crucible
- Metal
- Two graphite carbon rods
- Arc welder
- Welding glasses
Instructions
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Build a box of fire brick. The size is up to you, however, you need to have at least four bricks thick in any direction: bottom and the three sides. Make sure one of the bricks has a depression in the middle where you can place your graphite crucible.
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Place the metal in the crucible and place the crucible in place inside the box.
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Place two carbon graphite rods into your arc welder. Put on your welding glasses.
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Touch the end of the rods to the inside of the box and turn on the welder. Monitor the arc of the welder as you work, readjusting the rods as they burn away. Add more rods as needed until the metal melts inside the crucible. The insulated furnace or box allows the rods of the arc welder to reach higher temperatures than it would when used conventionally.
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References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
