Author Topic: Kasenit and flame question  (Read 3339 times)

Offline E.vonAschwege

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Kasenit and flame question
« on: July 20, 2009, 06:48:48 AM »
Hey guys,
   I was using kasenit this evening on some parts and was reminded of a question I had a while ago.  Why does the flame on my propane torches turn orange/yellow as I use kasenit?  At first the flames will be blue, but after using kasenit the flames change color, and stay orange for hours afterwards.  There's also always a burnt earthy smell that lingers in the air.  I imagine this is some kind of gas or particulate, is this something I shouldn't be breathing?  Anyone know what it is?  Thanks!  Dixon's coming up!!!
-Eric
Former Gunsmith, Colonial Williamsburg www.vonaschwegeflintlocks.com

Offline B Shipman

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Re: Kasenit and flame question
« Reply #1 on: July 20, 2009, 08:23:30 AM »
Eric, Kasenit is not hard to do. Get your part to bright red, dip in Kasenite to pick up a bunch. Reheat to what appers to be a bright red with the KASENITE MELTING and toss into water. Great for doing screws and such. The heads that get use, like the lock bolts and barrel tang bolt, will be indestructable.

It's a shallow case.

Offline Dphariss

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Re: Kasenit and flame question
« Reply #2 on: July 20, 2009, 05:38:17 PM »
Hey guys,
   I was using kasenit this evening on some parts and was reminded of a question I had a while ago.  Why does the flame on my propane torches turn orange/yellow as I use kasenit?  At first the flames will be blue, but after using kasenit the flames change color, and stay orange for hours afterwards.  There's also always a burnt earthy smell that lingers in the air.  I imagine this is some kind of gas or particulate, is this something I shouldn't be breathing?  Anyone know what it is?  Thanks!  Dixon's coming up!!!
-Eric

Probably getting some material down in the burner. With and oxy-acet torch the yellow/orange is so bright its hard to see color of the metal so I keep one eye closed  ;D

Dan

Dan
He who dares not offend cannot be honest. Thomas Paine

doug

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Re: Kasenit and flame question
« Reply #3 on: July 20, 2009, 05:44:03 PM »
  Why does the flame on my propane torches turn orange/yellow as I use kasenit?  At first the flames will be blue, but after using kasenit the flames change color, and stay orange for hours afterwards. 

     I am guessing that Kasenite is a sodium salt of some kind because of the bright yellow flame.  I am assuming a small amount of the Kasenite is spilling into the burner of your torch and takes a while to burn away afterwards.  I don't know about the danger but assume that if it was all that hazardous, I would be dead by now.

cheers Doug

Offline Long John

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Re: Kasenit and flame question
« Reply #4 on: July 20, 2009, 05:56:49 PM »
Eric,

Carbon fluoresces in the yellow-orange part of the visible spectrum.  That's why we see flames from carbon containing materials as yellow unless specifically manipulated.  I suspect that there yellow flame you see on your torch is carbon that has sputtered onto the burner while case hardening with Kasenit.

Best Regards,

JMC

Offline E.vonAschwege

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Re: Kasenit and flame question
« Reply #5 on: July 20, 2009, 06:22:02 PM »
Hmm, the stuff does sputter a lot, I bet it does have something to do with residue burning off in the torch head.  I have two torches, I'll use one and not the other and see if the flame stays the same. 

Dan, even with propane and kasenit I still wear an old pair of sunglasses just so I can see that it's covered fully. 

Thanks guys!
-E
Former Gunsmith, Colonial Williamsburg www.vonaschwegeflintlocks.com

Offline Stophel

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Re: Kasenit and flame question
« Reply #6 on: July 20, 2009, 07:55:03 PM »
I have a great big window in the shop,  which is shaded by a shed.  I watch my reflection in the window so I don't have to look at the Kasenit.
When a reenactor says "They didn't write everything down"   what that really means is: "I'm too lazy to look for documentation."