Annealing Copper Sheet Gas Torch

I usually use a bernzomatic mapp gas torch and heat the entire copper gasket until its cherry red then quickly dump it in a bucket of cold water to quench it.

Annealing copper sheet gas torch.

If all you want to do is color the copper a small torch will likely do the job but you are not likely to be able to actualy anneal any signifiacnt size piece. I have a feeling the piece is just too large to get it to cherry red within a reasonable amount of time. Step 1 completely shut off the valves on the oxygen and acetylene tanks. Point the flame directly at the copper band or pipe.

Connect the torch head to the oxygen and acetylene tanks using the torch hoses. Many torches generate sufficient btu and flame temp to anneal a large copper sheet but the copper conducts the energy so readily that it acts like a giant heatsink radiateing energy acrosss its entire surface faster than you can get it in. When you anneal copper it expands and becomes soft and pliable thus giving you a seal once the copper has been compressed. Hold the flame farther than 4 5 inches 10 13 cm away and the copper will take a long time to heat.

I m working on a chasing and repousse project and i m attempting to anneal a copper sheet that i think is about 6x6. If your torch cannot get the entire gasket cherry red all at the same time it will be fine. Anneal bend a little anneal again bend a little and repeat. Propane will work fine to anneal the copper pipe you will have to anneal several times while you try to bend it.

Hold the flame 3 4 in 7 6 10 2 cm from the copper you re annealing. Copper is one of the metals that hardens when it is worked bent stretched. So long as you get the copper red hot then let it cool it will bend. You should have a form to bend it against.

If you hold the flame much closer to the copper you ll burn the metal s relatively delicate surface. Annealing is a method of softening metal that has been hardened by one method or another.