A PRELIMINARY STUDY ON THE LOSS OF IRON AND ARSENIC IN THE RE-MELTING OF IRON-BEARING ARSENICAL COPPER

Abstract

Re-melting experiments were conducted with specimens made of high-arsenic copper alloys containing lead, iron and sulphur. The melting treatment at 1000 degrees C in ambient conditions for 5 min was found to cause an almost complete removal of iron and sulphur along with a notable reduction of arsenic levels. Evidence was found that the preferential oxidation of iron and arsenic was responsible for this change in composition. The treatment also brought about perfect dissolution of speiss particles scattered throughout the original specimen, suggesting the possibility of the addition of speiss to molten copper for the production of arsenical copper.