Annealing Copper Sheet Metal

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.

Annealing copper sheet metal.

To define the annealing process in simple terms means to remove any stresses and return material to a soft and workable state ie. You can anneal any grade and thickness of copper as long as you have a flame that can transmit enough heat to the metal. Annealing is a technique that all metalsmiths will. Darlene armstrong director and co owner of the denver school of metal arts shows you how to anneal a sheet of copper using an acetylene torch.

This is especially so in metals that become work hardened like copper and brass although brass can become very brittle and fracture easily especially if it has been heated. Copper silver and brass can be either cooled slowly in air or quickly by quenching in water. Annealing is a method of softening metal that has been hardened by one method or another. This video shows you how to safely use the torches in this classroom as well as anneal a piece of copper and add firescale.

Annealing copper makes it softer and less brittle which allows you to bend it without breaking it. In the case of ferrous metals such as steel annealing is performed by heating the material generally until glowing for a while and then slowly letting it cool to room temperature in still air. Making it more malleable.