Is there a metalurgist in the house?

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compo

Veteran
Location
Harlow
Every now and then we do daft things. I did yesterday.

I removed my chain and cassette to thoroughly clean them in a tub of paraffin with a stiff paint brush. Afterwards I warmed the cassette on the gas, without getting it too hot, and that dried it nicely. Then I had to work out how to remove the paraffin from the chain, and from inside the rollers. I coiled the chain and sat in on the gas, just for a few seconds to burn off the residue. It worked OK, but a couple of links must have got too hot and have blued. No worries on the chain, I just fitted a new one rather than risk failure. Then I suddenly thought about the cassette. I assume they are heat treated during manufacture, so will my heating of it be likely to adversely affect it. It hasn't discoloured like the chain. I am just slightly concerned that the teeth may bend up when I put pressure on the pedals.

Guess what? I wont do that again!
 
I'm not a metalurgist TBH, but if I can STEEL myself a few minutes later I'll try and help.

I just need to IRON out a few things with this COPPER at my door :tongue:



don't worry, I've already got my coat and left :whistle:
 

green1

Über Member
It'll be ok, heating it up for a couple of seconds isn't going to make any difference. Next time though just wrap it kitchen roll put it in a bag and spin it round your head a few times. Paraffin leaves carbon residue when burnt.
 

Tim Hall

Guest
Location
Crawley
Not all metals surely. Memories of 3rd form metalwork classes, back when the world was black and white, we heated copper and quenched it to anneal it after it got work hardened. Still got the copper ashtray somewhere.
 
OP
OP
compo

compo

Veteran
Location
Harlow
Not all metals surely. Memories of 3rd form metalwork classes, back when the world was black and white, we heated copper and quenched it to anneal it after it got work hardened. Still got the copper ashtray somewhere.

We used to do that if we reused copper head gaskets on MZ motorbikes. I probably melted more than I managed to re-use so was always worth having a sheet of copper handy to cut out new ones.
 

GrumpyGregry

Here for rides.
Even then doesn't it need to be heated to cherry red or some such for any material change (ba-dish!) to take place?
 
I've blued the discs on my mountain bike once or twice doing long technical descents. They still work fine and they also often get quenched by splashing through a puddle or stream after a big descent.
 
OP
OP
compo

compo

Veteran
Location
Harlow
you would not have taken it up to cherry red 800-850c I bet the max termp would have been no more than 400 or lower so know you would not have damaged your chain
How do I know, I'm a Blacksmith :smile:

Thanks. I will accept that as a definitive answer taking into account your trade!
 
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