Nickel brass ? anneal

[rmist]

Is it alright to anneal nickel brass ? I was given a bunch of it and would like to anneal it. Will it burn the coating off? I am asking prior to having it FUBAR !!
Thanks again,
Rmist

 

[dkhunt14]

You could do one and see. If it burns it off I don't think it would hurt anything. Matt

 

[spclark]

Yes you can anneal nickel-plated brass. Process is identical to what's routinely used for unplated. Just don't overheat, particularly if the necks have been trimmed & chamferred - which leaves exposed brass.

The same time + temp parameters as for unplated ought to work fine.

Over time you may begin to see some flaking at the neck mouths on trimmed necks though so look 'em over carefully each time you prep for the next loading.

 

[rmist]

Thank you both !! I'll give them a try then.

 

[CatShooter]

Thank you both !! I'll give them a try then.

I anneal nickle all the time - it will discolor, but it is fine (and mine never peeled).

 

[normmatzen]

Now, I'm not a metallurgist, but I remember something from a "Strength of Materials" class in Engineering school about nickle and other hard metals as over-plates.

It seems that when a plating of a metal stronger than the parent metal is stressed, it can exacerbate cracking as it allows stress to concentrate at a single point.

I have always looked with suspicion at Nickel plated cases as one-time-use only like steel cases.

Before I re-processed Nickel cases in any way, I would check with the manufacturer or a competent metallurgist first.

 

[broncman]

I shoot Federal 308 brass in one of my rifles. I have a bunch of Nickel cases and have reloaded and annealed them so many times that the Nickle is wearing off....NEVER peeled!

I reload till I detect signs of case head separation in these. I also bump to just under chamber size and I am in the teens for amount of times they have been reloaded.

 

[CatShooter]

Now, I'm not a metallurgist, but I remember something from a "Strength of Materials" class in Engineering school about nickle and other hard metals as over-plates.

It seems that when a plating of a metal stronger than the parent metal is stressed, it can exacerbate cracking as it allows stress to concentrate at a single point.

I have always looked with suspicion at Nickel plated cases as one-time-use only like steel cases.

Before I re-processed Nickel cases in any way, I would check with the manufacturer or a competent metallurgist first.

Obviously, your theories do not match experience.

 

[XTR]

My only advice is to be careful with it in your dies.

I've got a bunch of 45-70 nickle cases. I decided to resize some that I had flared what I thought was a bit to much, and scored up a sizing die pretty badly.

I've also seen cracking in the nickle when I have tried to chamfer them. (and cracks also seem to score up your dies.


I like them for my black powder loads (easy cleanup) but be careful with them when you are sizing.

 

[CatShooter]

My only advice is to be careful with it in your dies.

I've got a bunch of 45-70 nickle cases. I decided to resize some that I had flared what I thought was a bit to much, and scored up a sizing die pretty badly.

I've also seen cracking in the nickle when I have tried to chamfer them. (and cracks also seem to score up your dies.


I like them for my black powder loads (easy cleanup) but be careful with them when you are sizing.

Nickle does not score hardened tool steel.

When the nickle flakes off, it sticks to the die wall, and scratches the cases - wash the die inside with break cleaner (or whatever dissolves your case lube), and wipe it out with tissue paper and "Q" tip, and the scratches will go away.

 

[XTR]

My only advice is to be careful with it in your dies.

I've got a bunch of 45-70 nickle cases. I decided to resize some that I had flared what I thought was a bit to much, and scored up a sizing die pretty badly.

I've also seen cracking in the nickle when I have tried to chamfer them. (and cracks also seem to score up your dies.


I like them for my black powder loads (easy cleanup) but be careful with them when you are sizing.

Nickle does not score hardened tool steel.

When the nickle flakes off, it sticks to the die wall, and scratches the cases - wash the die inside with break cleaner (or whatever dissolves your case lube), and wipe it out with tissue paper and "Q" tip, and the scratches will go away.

OK, if you say so. I ended up using a case with lapping compound and a drill to hone the die smooth again.

 

[normmatzen]

Catshooter,

Not my theory, but legitimate lab testing evidence. That is opposed to the anecdotal evidence found here.

And, some here have reported problems re-loading nickel plated cases.

I'm just mentioning a fact and it makes no different to me as my calibers don't come in nickel plated form.

 

[CatShooter]

Catshooter,

Not my theory, but legitimate lab testing evidence. That is opposed to the anecdotal evidence found here.

And, some here have reported problems re-loading nickel plated cases.

I'm just mentioning a fact and it makes no different to me as my calibers don't come in nickel plated form.

Uh huh...

Brinell hardness of Nickel 56 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brinell_scale)

---

Rockwell - "(Nickel) As plated hardness of 46-48-Rockwell" Chttp://www.componenttechnologiesinc.com/index.php/electroless_nickel

---

http://nickel.atomistry.com/hardness_of_nickel.htm

"L. Jordan and W. H. Swanger gave for the scleroscope hardness of 99.94 per cent, nickel, 5.0; for the Rockwell hardness, 42 to 44"

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockwell_scale

"Typical values - Very hard steel (e.g. chisels, quality knife blades): HRC 55–66"

---

http://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=6229

The physical properties of O1tool steels are outlined in the following table.

Properties
Density (hardened to 62 HRC)
Density (@399°C/ 750°F, hardened to 62 HRC)
Density (@191°C/ 375°F, hardened to 62 HRC)

---

Catshooter,

Not my theory, but legitimate lab testing evidence.

I eagerly await your "legitimate lab testing evidence" So far, you don't even have "... the anecdotal evidence found here"...

... you present nothing at all !

 

[normmatzen]

Catshooter,
I find it hard to understand your nearly violent response to my original comment. Perhaps you should re-read it as I made no claims.

But, you have accelerated things a bit, so here is some scientific info that tends to prove the anecdotal evidence that nickel plated cases do indeed crack more often than non-plated cases. Which was my original concern, not a proven theory. So:

efatigue.com/chapter_8.pdf

Varmintal.com/arelo.htm

allisonsupply.com/all-about-nickel-plate-brass-cases
(questionable)

gunnerforum.com/reloading/6309-why-nickel-brass-splits.html

I don't know the qualifications of the poster on gunnerforum, but it agrees with a great deal of the literature I read but didn't include above.

 

[Ggmac]

Norm , I do not even respond to catshooter ,since his responses are usually way off the OP question . I have yet to use or see a barrel ,tool , or wrench made of nickel , steel yes .

 

[CatShooter]

It wasn't violent... it is just simple.

Nickel plate does not scratch hardened tool steel - it is not rocket science.

Take a nickeled case and scratch one of your (quality) sizing dies - take before and after pictures of the area, and post them... that will make your point - otherwise it is all hot air!


;D

 

[normmatzen]

Catshooter,

And your point is???

My comment was on nickel plated cases splitting and cracking more often. Nothing to do with nickel being harder than steel, just harder than brass,

Like I said, re-read my original post.. Like I learned in Navy technical school, "RTFQ!"

 

[CatShooter]

Catshooter,

And your point is???

My comment was on nickel plated cases splitting and cracking more often. Nothing to do with nickel being harder than steel, just harder than brass,

Like I said, re-read my original post.. Like I learned in Navy technical school, "RTFQ!"

It just keeps on getting better and better...

... read my #10, and your reply #12, and my #13 - you were NOT talking about necks splitting (which nickel does not effect).

Since you don't use or anneal nickeled cases, I don't know why you are guessing in thread this in the first place...

You could benefit from your own advice (RTFT!!)

 

[dedogs]

XTR, I am curious to know what brand of die you scored up with nickle plating from your cases?