Melting Zinc Battery Casings into an Ingot

[@stephenjacks8196]

Note that Zinc has a high vapor pressure at it's melting point, and inhaling vapor can cause Zinc "fume fever". This was a warning given to those soldering or brazing galvanized steel.

[@alessandroandrenacci2372]

Yes, i also posted a similar warning here ...

[@ThePeterDislikeShow]

@@alessandroandrenacci2372 It's almost nothing at the melting point of zinc. It's only when you go well above melting point, like in welding, do you have to worry about that.

[@TheLastHonk]

That music made me feel sad for those casings.. like they were symbolic of something...

[@bigboineptune9567]

SkiDooRydr Our childhood joy and innocence.

[@stephenjacks8196]

Mere shells of their former selves

[@appledinger1121]

Rip

[@buttblug1990]

Damn all these comments hit hard

[@MadScientist267]

They're in a better place. Carbon zinc as a battery is pfft lol

[@CoolKoon]

The next time you might want to use a crucible for melting (without touching the metal with the flame), because the torch's flame has definitely aided the oxidation a LOT.

[@trexor67]

Thanks a lot, I was looking for that kind of info. I afraid to oxidize when melting. Thanks.

[@CoolKoon]

@@trexor67 You're welcome. Zinc actually has a melting point so low that even a soldering iron that's powerful enough can melt it (and you can definitely melt it on a gas stove).

[@alessandroandrenacci2372]

​@@CoolKoon melting point about 400 degrees, boiling ~ 800 ( vapours highty harmfull, pay attention, can result in permanent desease ... )

[@roman_abelardo]

Gracias por su aporte, su información es importante a la hora de obtener un mayor porcentaje de metal reciclado con menor gasto de energía. Por otro lado la pureza es de vital importancia a la hora de someterlo a una química/electrolisis para intercambio iónico...

[@CoolKoon]

@@roman_abelardo You're welcome and I mean oxidizing the zinc in the flame doesn't make it impure per se, it's just that more of the metal is wasted. Either way the electrolytic method makes the purest zinc I think.

[@Willasfantasyland]

you can probably get a good amount more metal if you squeeze the casings in a vice before melting them. Even squishing them with a hammer will yield less slag.

[@NileRed]

Hmm, didn't even think of doing that

[@Papperlapappmaul]

The oxygen rich flame of the torch might also add to the slag. You might wanna try restricting the airflow into the torch's nozzle a bit.

[@johnlbales2773]

👍 thanks

[@Lunas2525]

The slag could also be used in less critical reactions it is still 90% zinc and part of that looked like a good strip of pure zinc stuck to the pot. Also be warned that pot now can not be used for food prep the zinc oxide is toxic and melting of zinc should be done outside or in a fume hood zinc has 2 hazards of heated too much white zinc smoke is toxic and if heated further it will make a yellow fibrous residue with the smoke this is also toxic.

[@xpndblhero5170]

The music made me feel like I was watching a baby deer walking for the first time while discovering the joy of life, not blowtorching battery casings into an ingot.... LoL

[@pushbutton8548]

"oh well" Nile Red = Nurd Rage confirmed

[@rogerdotlee]

Negative. This only implies that they're both Canadian.

[@bunnyborg]

We don't need ot guess. In the "About" section of both their KZbin accounts, it says "Canada" as country of origin (of the channel and videos).

[@rich1051414]

If you pitch shift nerdrage, it sounds JUST like nile red. Also *N* erd *R* age *N* ile *R* ed.

[@yuro6869]

يصدأ

[@tohopes]

If you make a bunch of those, you could build a house with them. Like an igloo. I liked the voiceless format with text. Much more peaceful.

[@NarTiiiNDK]

Dat sophisticated mold bro!

[@joeswarson4580]

silent film era NileRed

[@SkyTheLeafeon]

A peaceful, relaxing video. You should try doing more of these.

[@swingyflingex3458]

Totally agree

[@sleepful1917]

this video was so peaceful and calming

[@skyym3629]

There is a really easy source for pure Zinc metal that anyone can purchase from Home Depot or Lowes or any other big box hardware store. They use Zinc for an anode that you attach to swamp coolers to collect all the corrosion so it doesn't eat away the actual swamp coolers water basin. They used to make them out of pure magnesium and only cost a few dollars. I have a few left of the solid magnesium anodes for powdering and using in fireworks. These anodes are about 8 to 10 inches long and about 3/4 of an inch around and solid. Thanks for the videos and the information you give in each one. God Bless bro. and thumbs up.

[@siddhantsharma1363]

skyym3 Can you tell me more about the Mg ones!

[@Wolfeydubstep]

I personally didn't like the lack of narration but maybe someone else did. Anyway the video was still good.

[@NileRed]

It was just something that I wanted to try. I probably won't do it again.

[@jonmike733]

Please do it again =). Like every now and then.

[@screengames5307]

I liked it because I couldn't hear anything crowded room

[@jupiter_ios]

I liked it a lot

[@mickstephenson]

I prefer your usual video style with spoken commentary.

[@mrhomescientist]

The music was very nice, and went well with the video. Did KZbin hassle you at all for the soundtrack? Every video I post with music gets auto flagged for copyright, and every time I have to file a claim to show them it is Creative Commons.

[@jonhoyles714]

try loading the sound into a program and change the pitch slightly my wife used to do it for the same reason hope this helps :)

[@Mr.Marhaen]

I

[@EPMTUNES]

Check the description. It’s royalty free

[@mrhomescientist]

@@EPMTUNES That's never stopped them from filing claims against me. It's a real headache.

[@lukasandrysik3666]

Hi, be aware this it probably not pure zinc - I saw on many zinc-carbon batteries warning sign "contains lead" and once read something about adding lead into the zinc to prevent corrosion and prolong shelf life.

[@NileRed]

Hmm interesting. I had no idea

[@ReubenLL28]

+NileRed I read the same thing - lead and cadmium are often added to prevent corrosion. However, these additions don't detract much from the purity; on average the Pb and Cd content is only 0.05%-0.1%

[@billblakely964]

Really liked your silent video. It was beautiful. Great job.

[@hehebwoai3056]

The only nilered video i can understand

[@waterlubber]

You can buy straight zinc from most marine supply stores. It's a sacraficial anode to prevent galvanic corrosion.

[@basketofdeplorables4253]

its far cheaper to just melt zinc pennies

[@voidseeker4394]

@@basketofdeplorables4253 intentional destruction of money is illegal in most countries, as far as I know. Not sure about USA...

[@basketofdeplorables4253]

@@voidseeker4394 I checked. I could not find any thing other than if you are destroying it to make counterfeit money.

[@basketofdeplorables4253]

@@voidseeker4394 not to mention there are several people melting Pennies on KZbin in videos.

[@voidseeker4394]

@@basketofdeplorables4253 well, you literally pointed out the loophole, where material used to make money has more value than money represent. How exploiting this will not be concidered fraud by the law?

[@etan838]

''come back zinc, come back''

[@JayaSaputra]

2:02 In memoriam: Zinc.

[@stephenjacks8196]

Noticed the Oxide on the casings. Purity might be a consideration since some Zinc alloy contain Lead et Al which can inhibit some reactions.

[@hydrophobicです]

Wow so this is how Nile Red looked in the past

[@Kannamoris]

I remember this music from somewhere...

[@drugmonster6743]

Witch Trainer?

[@LiborTinka]

Zinc is good for dissolving metal reductions (e.g. Zn/AcOH), displacing less reactive metals (e.g. tin), can be used to prepare a a complexometric standard (0.1M zinc(II) sulfate) etc. etc.

[@andreaquadrati]

Next time, don't use the torch. but just a smaller crucible. You lost a lot of zinc by making an oxide layer, the fire and slow heating do that

[@ScienceDiscoverer]

Somehow I always assumed that melting and casting metal is only possible at a big industrial factories. It never even occurred to my mind that it is possible to do this at home... I feel so stupid and close minded now...

[@aetius31]

I melted zinc some time ago in a small stainless container, at first everthing was fine and i casted the zinc without problems. But after a month i have noticed rust marks on the container which evolved into faster and deeper rusting ( there was a ring of rust dust on the table where the container was). So i dont know exactly how zinc interfere with stainless but keep in mind that your pan might be not corrosion resistant anymore

[@stephenjacks8196]

Welding supply companies sell "Zincs" which are larger ingots used to secure steel cable. Cheap. Boating supply places sell same for anti corrosion and charge more. Zinc sheet for roof moss control at Home Depot or Lowe's also more but thinner. "Galvanizing" paint, in some hardware stores, is powdered Zinc; spray into Naphtha to separate paint, pure enough for Zinc Aryl and Ushibara Nickel production.

[@Noah-hz5ll]

No narration but I still heard narration. Haha. And I have to say I think you've always done a really good job of picking interesting and enjoyable music for these styles of videos!

[@DAN8137]

I love the background music

[@appledinger1121]

May their soul rest in peace.

[@levitheentity4000]

oh yes baby that's it

[@ftroner4644]

Great info, thank you. Are the fumes dangerous?

[@alessandroandrenacci2372]

Yes, and VERY MUCH ... see other comments on this topic ... Zink fewer is a tipical desease coming after having breath zink smoke ...

[@stephensharma4994]

cool man , i really wanted to find zinc as it can be used to electro plating of iron parts or gates , windows ect to prevent rusting ect

[@frankobacic8396]

Hey nile, are those the same battery casings from your video on manganese dioxide? Plus, how toxic are zinc fumes at all?

[@Nexstra]

Hey Nile Red, I'm a huge fan of your videos and I plan on donating in the near future. Just tonight I distilled DCM from paint thinner, and I'm fascinated by chemistry. Do you have any tips for a beginner chemist (I'm a high school AP Chem student)? I want to expand my knowledge of chemistry as much as possible and hopefully find a career in chemistry one day.

[@NileRed]

Hello! I am honestly not sure what tips to give. Have you ever tried watching chemistry teaching videos online, like ones by Khan Academy?

[@Nexstra]

+Nile Red I've seen the entire Crash Course series on it. What initially sparked your interest in chemistry?

[@apburner1]

I recently graduated with my B.S. in Chemistry. I can give you a small bit of important advice (if you plan on college). DO NOT focus on chemistry right now. You will end up mired in "pop" chemistry. You need a strong base in physics (specifically quantum physics) and math (upper level calculus). Chemistry is not about mixing A+B and C what you get.

[@NileRed]

Nexstra I have always been interested in chemistry, but I didn't really do any of my own stuff until I was a lab tech. I had to design experiments for students and it got me a lot more into the practical side. I think my overall interest was always there, but I only really got interesting in doing my own projects when I was a lab tech and after I had finished my B Sc. What level do you think you are at? Do you think you still need to learn more of the basics, or do you think you are ready to learn about things like organic chemistry? It is honestly hard for me to recommend a resource though, because i learned the first half in school and the second half from just reading papers and doing my own research online

[@Noah-hz5ll]

My experience is based on plenty of lab time & undergrad Chem up to Organic2 (Pre-phys. asst. Biology major, pre med basically). Good foundational knowledge is quintessential. If you're looking for excellent factual info, particularly w reactions & nomenclature, check out Professor Dave Explains. Khan is also great. For practical/hands on stuff, check out all these styles of videos. When you feel comfortable w the math and fundamentals, becoming one w the electron as one prof said lol, start hitting up *peer-reviewed* scientific literature in whatever interests you. Honestly, reading before you really grasp that stuff would only propel you forward I'd think. That said, there's no replacement for lab time, & of course writing out equations and experiments on paper! However, applied, bio, pure, & even chem engineering (things I'll never be doing) have much more going on. No stress, but if you love it get passionate! You'll never regret learning something even if it's not for a career.

[@AllChemystery]

you actually used tin metal for the aniline synthesis.

[@allurared9029]

some NileRed Soothing Music©

[@luisermert]

That you didn't speak was just right because i was sitting in the living room and i had no earphones :)

[@kamakshaiah]

Nice video. However, when this metal peeled off from any used battery, they are indeed dirty. Have you cleaned those zinc extracts from batteries? Have you used any acid for cleaning? Please reply...

[@mattibboss]

good piece for electroplating...i use it with zinc acetate...so easy to make and works ok

[@ballpoint8216]

Have you ever thought of adding some carbon with the casings to reduce the ZnO back into Zn?

[@buckstarchaser2376]

I was thinking that he may be able to put a sheet of paper in the pan and cover it, to react away the oxygen and prevent some of the oxidation. Would the carbon also restore the ZnO to metal, or would that require unreasonable temperatures?

[@alexwang982]

Check a Ellingham diagram; zinc oxide and carbon reduce at 875c. Too hot.

[@Santiago-sv2hu]

Can you still using the pot after that ?

[@beast4862]

You should try to extract lidocaine from like icy hot or some kind of mouth numbing stuff like oragel

[@bigjohn7818]

Or Passion anal lube

[@vincedibona4687]

I melt zinc found in faucets and electric motor casings into coins using, ironically, a motor casing made from aluminum where I pulled the bearing out from.

[@slash.9882]

I want to hear your voice

[@AlChemicalLife]

although i really enjoy his voice, this music is just about as soothing as his voice :D

[@capacitor440]

Greetings from ukrainian chemist and process engineer. Nice videos.

[@NecroBanana]

The lack of narration is something I'd be interested in in those videos where you didn't charge them to the patreons as maybe it would be easier to edit them that way, and we still get some nifty little info or tips. Anyway, you do what you want, I'll just watch and more than likely enjoy.

[@lit2021]

Aren't zinc vapors like very toxic?

[@sethmitchell2176]

Please tell me you did this in a fume hood. I don't want you to die xD

[@ficolas2]

what fumes in this video are bad?

[@sethmitchell2176]

I know if you weld with zinc galvanized steel the vapor can kill you, I can't imagine melting it in a pot an breathing in the fumes can be very healthy for you >.>

[@googleeatsdicks]

Are you refering to metal fume fever? His method is not hot enough and the fumes of zinc are not deadly.

[@sbreheny]

That's because the welder is hot enough to burn the zinc, making an aerosol of zinc oxide which you then breathe in. It's not fatal, but it can make you sick for a couple of days.

[@ronaldbrown9638]

Seth Mitchell no it will not we melt zinc to its boiling point all the time at work to form alloys. It smokes white if you breath a bit you never notice it. You may get metal fever if you breath it 8 hours a day for a month but still no death. Zinc oxide is not very toxic. Do you put safety glasses on to rub one out ? I'm just wondering.

[@MuzikBike]

Kind of a waste of zinc oxide. Could you dissolve the oxides in acid and retrieve the zinc through electrolysis?

[@jstuyfzand5467]

costs more than its worth

[@Alexander-kz6es]

maybe, just as an experiment, but it costs more than its worth lol

[@martinofgliwice1486]

+Ger Painkiller or does it? considering the fact that zinc oxide is essentially free here...

[@Alexander-kz6es]

Martin of Gliwice what do you mean? :D

[@MuzikBike]

in this case, the oxide is a free by-product

[@chemicalmaster3267]

+Nile Red Wouldn´t be better if you´ve dissolved the zinc casings into some sodium hydroxide solution to make sodium zincate, then using electrolysis to make zinc powder (that way you can also convert the zinc oxide into zinc metal)?

[@sbreheny]

When I've done zinc casting before, I had to add a flux (ammonium chloride) to get the zinc to break free from the oxide and coalesce. Otherwise I just got a bunch of blobs which never joined together, no matter how hot I got it. Any idea what is different here?

[@ThaFuzzwood]

Damn it there are so many metal processing videos in my channel currently that I want to play Angelbob factorio again...

[@fajile5109]

Can i put the zinc oxide in water and get it back with electrolysis?

[@Cody-cs9hj]

Very serene :)

[@zock4419]

+Nile Red You teased a video about the synthesis of Hydroxylamine. HCl in your Vanillil Oxime video. When are you going to make it ? Greetings from Germany.

[@haiyaiforces2619]

Should have used acetic acid to clean off the lead oxide, basically use some vinegar

[@SECONDQUEST]

Whoa, beautiful, maybe more?

[@joshuabaughn3734]

Never use copper vessels because you'll make brass and zinc fumes cause metal fume fever, which is not something you want!

[@JohnnySwedishScrapper]

hi so zink can be melted on an regular stove of do i need higer temp regards

[@Infamanious]

sooooooo can we expect more content in the coming weeks?

[@KazeShiniSK]

I've heard this music in a few skyrim gameplays so I immediately thought of skyrim while watching

[@shazamshazamski4490]

Beautiful music.. I would personally converted the Zn scum to its salts.

[@CousinWuKaLok]

Are there danger of causing metal fume fever tho?

[@ahmdmoadi]

why you didn't talk?and why the subtitles was is Indonesian?

[@Vok250]

Minecraft irl Even down to the music

[@shexdensmore]

Make your own brass

[@sugarfrosted2005]

Zinc amalgam when.

[@minagaherath1544]

Are these shells pure zinc?

[@mindhormone]

why did you not add borax? or flux? you could have more zinc that way

[@shiney94]

How do you prevent oxidation when burning zinc? I am scared of this as oxidation will result in a huge increase in melting point, and i wont be able to melt

[@rttr5777]

+Nile Red you are such a great chemist and I like your videos ,but i have a question are you for a doctorate degree or already had it regards

[@Ramcharan-1221]

How can we change the zink malting stage in 800* digger's... Can you told me that...

[@karimrazak3798]

Is the battery housing made of pure zinc?

[@sjoerdnijnatten3411]

do a lab tour

[@TheBrass18]

was this pure zinc? normally zinc is very reactive and lots of fumes would be there.

[@Treemaster16]

have you made lactose sugar because that is something im interested in thanks

[@MB-st7be]

Will zinc alloy with tin?

[@Sebastian-lu8en]

The lingot its of pure zinc or are contaminated with manganese dioxide

[@sadybey9806]

whether it can rust??

[@rickrolls4928]

I tried to melt zinc in the middle of the night by burning a penny on a stove

[@akifkhan07]

Thanks

[@ronaldbrown9638]

A cheap place for Zinc is electrical conduit fittings some parts will be steel just remove them before melting there not cheap but a lot of the time you can get old ones for free. Also note a few brands are not true zinc some add magnesium, this could be a big problem for chemistry. But I never had an issue 😁👍

[@Docbell60]

I get my zinc from not Penny's. Ha ha ha

[@leosedf]

All alkaline batteries have zinc casings?

[@sarowie]

I would look for Carbon Zinc batteries. They are cheap (cheaper then alkaline) and have Zinc in their name, so you know what you get: A Zinc casing and a carbon rod.

[@andreaquadrati]

No, only ones with carbon rods do

[@ficolas2]

And alkaline are worse to dissasemble afaik. from carbon zink oned you also get manganese oxide, not really pure but manganese oxide anywyays, that you can use in a chlorine generator, or whatever

[@boluguzici9441]

Yes they do, but trust me, don't open alkaline batteries. Use safer zinc-carbon batteries. Alkaline ones can burst KOH or other alkaline liquids in your face, making a very nice face soap.

[@KuhlAnt2]

thank you, :)

[@chanhien4000]

What is the best common acid to clean old rusty coin?

[@googleeatsdicks]

Depends on the material of the coin. If you plan to sell the coin someday, don't clean it at all. It reduces the value.

[@vojtator]

Vinegar + table salt

[@jamiehughes5573]

Could you make various eutectic alloys e.g fields metal/woods metal

[@yannickvanzetten8278]

hello mr. nile,I have to make a School research project. I want to do in about chemestry, but i don't know a good subject. I hope you can give me some advice.I'm 16 and have to do it at school. so it can't be to dangerous.

[@jackthomas7487]

Would you be able to do it without the torch?

[@nromes214]

home made coal furnace

[@ashdevos5705]

ya, easily. a good hot plate or just the kitchen stove would work

[@ladyaj6662]

What the. Every time I read the text I could hear it as your voice

[@ladyaj6662]

I’ve watched you so much that I can tell how you would say the words

[@DBHHellhound]

Should change title to ''mini ingot' I though I was going to watch you pour 100's of batteries and melting them,

[@Naitrio]

how do you take an oxide of a metal and turn it back into the original metal?

[@-vermin-]

By adding a reducing agent and energy. e.g. Smelting or electrolysis, or both. The zinc smelter near me roasts the ore to convert it to a soluble form, dissolves it, purifys it then deposits it via electrolysis.

[@Naitrio]

okay cool. Me and my father like melting different metals and there is often lots of oxides that we just throw away and i was curious to see if i can salvage the pure element. We mainly melt aluminum though.

[@ElementalOctopus]

It's actually pretty simple to make a small arc furnace out of firebrick and carbon electrodes which will easily smelt aluminum oxide into aluminum metal. It works with steel as well. Grant Thompson did a vid on it.

[@thedanger2823]

THERMITE

[@Naitrio]

ElementalOctopus i saw a king of random video about that.

[@LUMINARIASFOTON]

teach us to make nickel iron battery pleas! regards

[@nickjumikis5972]

your a legend

[@KRoQo-q3m]

I almost made a zinc with water soup

[@krisztianszirtes5414]

1:55 Could you make some shit-tier termite from that with aluminium or magnesium powder? :D

[@buckstarchaser2376]

...and then, feed the zinc termites to your pet piranha solution.

[@nappykins-AND-lotion]

make a video on DCC!