Lead alloy calculators

[bumpo628]

I made a spreadsheet that will let you calculate the properties you get when mixing two or more types of lead. Let me know if there is anything that is incorrect or needs improvement.

EDIT (3/10/11): I simplified the form down to just the mixed alloy calculator. Now you can mix all of the alloys in the table.
EDIT (3/15/11): I added more alloys and updated the notes.
EDIT (3/16/11): I added a column for arsenic data, two rows for custom alloy data, and updated the alloy specs.
EDIT (3/25/11): I added a column for copper data so that pewter could be added to the table.

Here is the 3/25/11 version: Lead Alloy Calculators 032511.zip



ARCHIVES:
2/14/11 version: Lead Alloy Calculators 021411.zip
3/10/11 version: Lead Alloy Calculators 031011.zip
3/15/11 version: Lead Alloy Calculators 031511.zip
3/16/11 version: Lead Alloy Calculators 031611.zip

[Sky_DiveR]

Good stuff. Thanks for the upload.

[bumpo628]

Glad you like it.
One of the moderators over at castboolits double-checked the math and it's good to go.

I'm building up my stockpile of lead - I have about 275 lbs so far (including stick-on WW, clip-on WW, and monotype). I just bought another 50 lbs of WW and 100 lbs of roof flashing ingots. That will bring me up to 425 lbs.

With the ban on lead wheel weights last year, it will be more and more difficult to buy ready-to-cast lead. People will have to mix their own out of whatever lead is available. Wheel weight lead already costs about $1 per pound delivered and it can only go up as the rest of the country follows Kali's lead.

I haven't seen any lead for sale on the Calguns forum, but the castboolits for-sale page is a great place to get lead. Ebay is always good too.
Does anyone else know a good source?

[bumpo628]

The spreadsheet has been updated to include a Brinell hardness estimate for the alloys. Notes and more reference info has also been added. The estimated hardness values are shown next to the known values to show the accuracy of the calculations.

Lead Alloy Calculators 020611.zip

Description, Composition, Uses, Hardness, Est. Hardness
Pure Lead, (100% Lead), Minies, Round, Brinell 5, 8.6
Pure Tin, (100% Tin), Alloy, Brinell 7, -
Pure Antimony, (100% Antimony), Alloy, Brinell 50, -
Antimonial Lead, (5% Antimony, 95% Lead), Alloy, Brinell ???, 13.2
Super Hard Alloy, (30% Antimony, 70% Lead), Alloy, Brinell ???, 36.2
40 to 1 Alloy, (2.5% Tin, 97.5% Lead), Blackpowder, Brinell 8, 9.3
30 to 1 Alloy, (3% Tin, 97% Lead), Blackpowder Brinell 9, 9.5
25 to 1 Alloy, (4% Tin, 96% Lead), Blackpowder Brinell 9, 9.8
20 to 1 Alloy, (5% Tin, 95% Lead), Blackpowder Brinell 10, 10.1
Chilled Shot, (2% Antimony, 98% Lead), Shotgun, Brinell ???, 10.4
Magnum Shot, (5% Antimony, 95% Lead), Shotgun, Brinell ???, 13.2
Wheel Weight - Stick On, (0.5% Tin, 99.5% Lead), Minies, Round, Brinell 6, 8.7
Wheel Weight - Clip On, (0.5% Tin, 2% Antimony, 97.5% Lead), Pistol, Rifle, Brinell 12, 10.6
Lyman's No. 2, (5% Tin, 5% Antimony, 90% Lead), Pistol, Rifle, Brinell 15, 14.7
Hardball Alloy, (2% Tin, 6% Antimony, 92% Lead), Pistol, Rifle, Brinell 16, 14.7
Linotype Alloy, (4% Tin, 12% Antimony, 84% Lead), Alloy, Brinell 19, 20.8
Monotype Alloy, (9% Tin, 19% Antimony, 72% Lead), Alloy Brinell 26, 28.7

[dev]

bump for some good info here

[WD_40]

This is good stuff. Thanks!

[bumpo628]

I have updated the calculator to allow you to mix up to 10 alloys. In addition, you can now copy and paste the properties from the table above into the mixing calculator.
If you have several types of lead, you can find out what you'll get if you just dump it in a pot and melt it all.

Here is the latest version: Lead Alloy Calculators 021411.zip

[MiBalzRHari]

Thanks. Excellent calc.

[bumpo628]

I simplified the form down to just the mixed alloy calculator. I found that I never used the calculators on the 2nd page anymore, so I figured that I would expand the mixed alloy calculator to include all of the 19 alloys in the table.

Here is the 3/10/11 version: Lead Alloy Calculators 031011.zip

[gorblimey]

I haven't even downloaded the spreadsheet yet, but it's an awesome idea -- thanks for the effort. Are you including, or planning to include, projected hardness increase when water dropping?

[bumpo628]

I haven't even downloaded the spreadsheet yet, but it's an awesome idea -- thanks for the effort. Are you including, or planning to include, projected hardness increase when water dropping?

I don't know how to calculate that, but I do provide one example with straight clip on WW. Air cooled it is 12 and water dropped it is 18.
The calculator does give you an estimated air cooled hardness according to a formula from rotometals.com.

[ScottC]

Sweet! Thank you-

[bumpo628]

I added more alloys and updated the notes.

Here is the 3/15/11 version: Lead Alloy Calculators 031511.zip

[bumpo628]

I added some more alloys (like pewter) and new columns for arsenic and copper. I found that arsenic was missing from the magnum shot and clip on wheel weight specs. So, now you will be able to make ww lead from shot and tin.

Arsenic is a grain refiner that greatly improves heat treating and quenching in lead/antimony alloys.
Copper content increases hardness.

I also added three rows for your own custom alloys or for past mix results.

Here is the 3/25/11 version: Lead Alloy Calculators 032511.zip

[Chickenthief]

Hi bumpo628

In wiew of the Kalifornia lead ban i tried to enter some alloys based on tin.
Lets just say that it made the spread sheet go bonkers!!!

Something you want to look into?