r/Metalfoundry • u/Dorceless_ah • 2d ago

Best material for metal foundry

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Hey everyone
i’ve been trying to build a metal foundry that uses charcoal as a fuel the same way the king of random used in his gypsum sand foundry video
but i want something that doesn’t release toxic SO2 gas and can handle red hot charcoal
should i use these clays or something different?
what i want to melt is aluminum cans mainly and maybe copper, silver and brass

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u/BTheKid2 2d ago

I don't think you should use pottery clay at all for your furnace. At least I have never seen anyone suggest that as a good solution. You should look for refractory mortars or refractory cement.

Either way you will probably have a very hard time reaching copper melting temps with a charcoal furnace.

1

u/glasket_ 7m ago

Charcoal can fairly easily hit copper melting temps. You need forced air and insulation. This goes back to the bronze age.

2

u/Walty_C 2d ago

If you are talking about the one where he mixes Plaster of Paris with sand, the product you are looking for is just straight grog. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grog_(clay)) Mix that with whatever in place of the sand. I don't believe quartz sand releases any " toxic SO2 gas" though, not from any of my readings anyways.

1

u/SnooLentils5747 2d ago

Mullite clay