Today's stupid question: volcanoes

J

Jason Fry

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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Jun 5, 2008
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Will volcanic ash work as flux in Damascus? Or what if you threw it in a can with 1095 powder?

Started with remembering Indian George putting some of his wife's ashes into damascus, ended up thinking about a volcano knife.
 
If you grind it very fine it should work. Ground feldspar is used as a welding flux. Try it and let us know.
 
In damascus won't it add a lot of silica? seems like a potential issue.
My understanding is the composition of volcanic ash can be quite variable depending on the source of magma for the volcano, so you'll have to experiment with stuff sourced from a specific place.
 
"In damascus won't it add a lot of silica? seems like a potential issue."

Silica is what makes wrought iron have its pattern. Unless it is used to excess, a very fine powder should be OK.

The Japanese smiths use rice straw ash as flux when doing the folding to create hada. It is alkaline with about 70% silica.

An old Western forge welding flux used by blacksmiths is basically charcoal powder, lye, saltpeter (or a mix of borates/nitrates), and finely ground feldspar. I think some blacksmith supplies sell a similar mix as magic weld or miracle weld.
A similar mix without the feldspar is used for casting flux.
 
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