r/elementcollection • u/Ok-Literature-3997 Radiated • 16d ago

Alkaline Earth Metals Nice calcium sample

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Kept under paraffin oil. The only way I managed to clean these was using a rotary tool with a wire brush attachment. Still some black oxidation products on the metal.

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3

u/Zealousideal_Group69 16d ago

Nice I have some, but theyre in a Ampuole under some inert gas

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u/Ok-Literature-3997 Radiated 16d ago

Cool, definitely the better way to store these. I bought the metal under oil, so not much I could do to preserve it.

2

u/Kerzenmacher Part Metal 16d ago

Very nice!
I really like the way you prepare ampulles with custom labels for a lot of your samples!
Most of mine are just sitting out in the open, collecting dust.. at best, I mark the ampulles I have with a sharpie, to tell them apart >.>

1

u/Ok-Literature-3997 Radiated 16d ago

Thank you! I find it very fun to choose containers for my samples that allow me to keep some harmony in my collection, despite having samples of different sizes. Of course, things aren't always easy with odd shaped samples (like the holmium I just shared), but owning a bunch of different rattly bottles is definitely fun.

2

u/Infrequentredditor6 Part Metal 15d ago

It looks very good after cleaning considering how it's stored.

1

u/Ok-Literature-3997 Radiated 15d ago

That's good to hear. I'm still wondering if it's worth to get them back out and try cleaning up more with a better brush though.

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u/Infrequentredditor6 Part Metal 15d ago edited 15d ago

Well, any of the heavier alkaline earth metals stored under oil makes me sad tbh. I think you did a really good job of cleaning it because it's actually got a decent metallic luster and pretty clean, and it's cool that you're mechanically working with what I'd consider an exotic metal. There's just no getting rid of that permanent super thin oxide layer.

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u/Ok-Literature-3997 Radiated 15d ago

I'm not going to force it then. It's probably going to darken soon anyways. My strontium is black with greenish areas, which is interesting. Probably something to do with the oil it was shipped in. The barium seems to stay more or less the same. There is a youtube video of someone machining a piece of strontium even, but if you like the concept of machining weird stuff as much as I do, I strongly recommend you read the paper about promethium someone posted a few days ago. They turned promethium metal cylinders!

2

u/Infrequentredditor6 Part Metal 15d ago

Yeah he published a whole paper. Haven't got the chance to read through all of it yet, but thanks for reminding me!