copper wire maille & hardening...

Kiltzman · Post by **Kiltzman** » Wed Apr 09, 2003 2:29 am

Well, I managed to make a coif and harberk out of 12 gau. Romex copper wire- Why? Because I'm a carpenter, and any excess/replaced wire I have left over, I use. It's free, and it's easier to work with. The inside dia. (I guess) is huge by standards, running right at 13/32". My question is this: is there any way to harden the copper wire? An OLD guy who was into everything historical (and who happened to be a blacksmith/pewtersmith) said he could do it. Unfortunately he never told me. I TRIED to look on-line, but the only thing I've found is to use Arsenic to harden it. (somehow). Is there anyway I could heat it up then quench it? How about hooking up some electricity to it (to heat the whole thing in one go) then quench it? (After I remove the elec. of corse)
Any ideas? Thanks

Alcyoneus · Post by **Alcyoneus** » Wed Apr 09, 2003 8:23 am

To harden copper alloys, heat, and then air cool.