Nickle Brass and annealing

[jpretle]

I don't recall having read anything on the annealing of nickle brass. Has anyone tried it? Will it anneal using the same procedure as 'brass'?
Not looking to do any, just curious.

 

[Straightshooter1]

The nickel is simply a cladding over the brass. I've annealed and turned necks on nickel brass (mostly as an experiment on some range brass to see how it works out, and they've functioned fine). So, basically . . . yes, it's the same procedure.

 

[jpretle]

I wondered if the brass and the nickle would expand and contract at the same rate, maintaining the integrity of the bond, rather than promoting a separation of the two.

 

[Straightshooter1]

I wondered if the brass and the nickle would expand and contract at the same rate, maintaining the integrity of the bond, rather than promoting a separation of the two.

No doubt that nickel expands at a different rate than brass. But from what I understand there's not much difference and the nickel cladding is so thin, the difference doesn't seem to be an issue.

I've fired my nickle cases 4 times now and they've been anneal after every firing; FL sized twice and neck sized only twice (beside the other uniforming procedures). So far, there's no apparent issue with any of them and the cladding looks just fine.

Note, when I anneal them, the nickel doesn't not show the discoloration as the brass does.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

A few years ago there was some bulk nickel 17 rem brass, that some reloaders reported issues. I had purchased several hundred, so I annealed a couple hundred. No issues at all some have been shot 3 times(top end loads).

 

[Tommie]

The nickel even hangs on when fireforming to an AI chamber. Or at least that’s been my experience.

 

[jpretle]

Responses appreciated. Curiosity satisfied.
Thanks,

 

[lb-ft]

If annealing by color, you’ll want to watch the inside of the neck. Outside won’t show color change until heat is excessive .

 

[jepp2]

If annealing by color, you’ll want to watch the inside of the neck.

???? The inside of the neck is plated also? Can you explain?

 

[McFred]

Don't use an induction annealer on nickel brass. You'll melt the necks in the time it takes to anneal the yellow brass cases. That's all I got for nickel suggestions.