If I have a Mercury/ Gold Almalgam

[ArDirtSlinger]

Would I have to keep the amalgam under water after getting all excess mercury out or Is it relatively safe from evaporation at the amalgam state??

Inquiring mind needs to know

 

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[trdking]

I think it would depend on how you expressed the mercury? and what quantity? If it was done in a cintilator it is safe. Either way Mercury won't evaporate in standard ambient temperatures, it has to be heated which if not done correctly is deadly.

 

[Bonaro]

I think it would depend on how you expressed the mercury? and what quantity? If it was done in a cintilator it is safe. Either way Mercury won't evaporate in standard ambient temperatures, it has to be heated which if not done correctly is deadly.

This is incorrect
There is no minimum temperature at which mercury will not evaporate. However, At room temperature this process is extremely slow and one gram of HG will completely evaporate in about 2 years. An open container of HG in a room with typical ventilation should not build up concentrations that would be of concern but if you have the HG in a sealed container, the air in that container will be quite contaminated and you should avoid breathing the fumes when you first open it. The best way is to store it in a durable sealed container under a layer of water. The warmer the HG becomes, the faster it will evaporate.

 

[GA_Boy]

Bonaro, I store my Mercury in an air tight bottle.Should I also pour water on top?
Marvin

 

[russau]

yes! And if your container is glass , keep that in another container incase something happens(dropped) to it!

 

[ArDirtSlinger]

Guys I pretty much knew it always needed to be underwater in it's pure state.

 

[ArDirtSlinger]

What I'm really fuzzy on is if it is more stable as an amalgam?? When I wring it ( in a shamy or paper towels) after it has collected all the gold will it continue to evaporate? Or should I keep that Little Rock underwater also?

 

[GA_Boy]

yes! And if your container is glass , keep that in another container incase something happens(dropped) to it!

Yes, I have it triple cased and double wrapped but no water. My amalgam ball is in a glass comtainer ----no H2O.
Marvin

 

[Bonaro]

Bonaro, I store my Mercury in an air tight bottle.Should I also pour water on top?
Marvin

You should store your HG in a chemical resistant "unbreakable" plastic bottle, Nalgene is ideal. Put a layer of clean water over the HG and seal tightly. This should then be put into a secondary container so things dont get dropped on it or shoved around. I use an old plastic coffee can. Label it clearly and put this on a low shelf in the garage or out building where it will be reasonably cool and out of the way, not in the house and not where kids might play.

 

[Bonaro]

What I'm really fuzzy on is if it is more stable as an amalgam?? When I wring it ( in a shamy or paper towels) after it has collected all the gold will it continue to evaporate? Or should I keep that Little Rock underwater also?

There is no difference between liquid mercury and a lump of mercury covered gold, you still have mercury exposed to air. The best way is to safely remove the HG from the gold, reclaim it and return it to the jar with the rest of your HG. Then you can do what you want the the gold.

 

[ArDirtSlinger]

ok thx

 

[Reed Lukens]

The only way to remove all of the Hg is to melt down your gold and pour it off. Nitric only takes the Hg off of the tops of nuggets, while leaving the Hg that has seeped into the pores. A nugget that has been cleaned in nitric, will turn gray again within a year. Then you will have to repeat the cleaning process a few times over the next few years to return it to its shiny gold color each time.

 

[Bonaro]

The only way to remove all of the Hg is to melt down your gold and pour it off. Nitric only takes the Hg off of the tops of nuggets, while leaving the Hg that has seeped into the pores. A nugget that has been cleaned in nitric, will turn gray again within a year. Then you will have to repeat the cleaning process a few times over the next few years to return it to its shiny gold color each time.

Mercury does not stick to gold the way water sticks to a stone. Its more of a molecular bond like the way solder sticks to brass. Mercury, when attached to gold will actually "soak in" to the surface of the gold and given time will begin to dissolve it. Melting the gold is a sure way to get rid of the amalgam but what you are actually doing is heating the HG above it's vapor point and causing it to evaporate....and a little more heat melts the gold. You can vaporize the HG using a retort but no matter what method you use, the gold will come out dull and discolored. This is because the HG has etched it. The only way to return the gold to it's natural bright color is to tumble it

 

[KevinInColorado]

Nice chemistry lesson Bonaro. I like it!

 

[Prospector70]

Mercury, when attached to gold will actually "soak in" to the surface of the gold and given time will begin to dissolve it.

Well that's just terrifying!

 

[Bonaro]

Mercury consuming Gold Leaf

 

[N-Lionberger]

That's a great video. I really like how the guy said he was so amused by it he did it 23 times lol, it does look like fun.