Anealing copper gaskets

Rickrod · Posted: November 18, 2009, 1:42 pm Post subject: Anealing copper gaskets

I heard once before that the copper gaskets can be heated to cherry red then quenched in water and be reused.

I was thinking about oil drain plugs, oil pipe gaskets and such.
Has anyone done this?

Rick

gordo · Posted: November 18, 2009, 1:50 pm Post subject: Re: Anealing copper gaskets

As long as it is just copper without anything sandwiched between it, yes that can be done. But be aware that copper has a very low melting point, and you could end up with a puddle. I have done the heat thing, and it work's good. Heat it till red & roll a heavy socket over the gasket to flaten it. Do not hit it with a hammer, you'll squish it too much.

Visegrippe · Full Member Joined: Sep 03, 2009 Posts: 10

indeed, though note that you won't recover the thickness lost in the squishing.

copper (and it's alloys) typically work harden, so by tightening against them they extrude into any deformations and harden in the process, so that they will resist any further deformation, which is what makes them non-reusable.

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