Date: October 2004 Non Ferrous Metal Treatment Product Data Sheet

LOGAS 50
briquettes for plunging into copper and copper alloys to remove
hydrogen gas

Introduction The solubility of hydrogen in copper and copper-base alloys decreases appreciably
as the metal cools from the liquid to the solid phase. The following is a table of the
solubility of hydrogen in pure copper at various temperatures taken from work by
Bever and Floe.

1 083 1 083
Temperature of Copper (ºC) 1 100 1 200 1 300
solid liquid
1 982 1 982
Temperature of Copper (ºF) 2 030 2 192 2 372
solid liquid
Solubility of H in ml/100g converted to N.T.P. 2.00 5.00 5.73 7.33 9.37

The metals normally alloyed with copper have varied effects on the solubility of
hydrogen in copper. Aluminium, zinc and tin additions decrease the solubility of
hydrogen, while nickel additions increase it. Where solidification occurs over a
range of temperature, the decrease in solubility from liquidus to the solidus is
distributed over that range. The gas dissolved in the molten metal diffuses during
solidification into the remaining interdendritic pools of liquid until, when these
solidify, it is ejected as gas bubbles to form the familiar interdendritic gas porosity.

Recommended Use LOGAS 50 briquettes are convenient to apply and most effective in removing
dissolved hydrogen from molten copper and its alloys. A compacted degassing
briquette is plunged beneath the metal surface to release a stream of scavenging
gases from the decomposition which ensues. The scavenging gases do not
produce any objectionable or toxic fumes and the only equipment required is a
suitably protected plunger rod as described later.

LOGAS 50 is supplied as strong, robust briquettes in two sizes that can be safely
and easily stored, handled and applied.

Degassing with LOGAS 50 briquettes can be carried out in the furnace in the case
of lift-out, tilting and high frequency furnaces. For larger units it is recommended
that degassing should be carried out in the transfer ladle.

The LOGAS 50 briquettes are so designed that they can be attached to or wedged
on, to a variety of plunger rod shapes, etc. Perhaps the most suitable tool for the
smaller 1A size is a simple steel rod, furnished with a peg or stop to prevent the
briquette riding up the rod, when plunged into molten metal. All exposed steel
should obviously be protected with a suitable refractory wash to prevent dissolution
of the iron.

Foseco (FS) Limited, Tamworth, Staffordshire, B78 3TL

Tel: +44 (0)1827 289999 · Fax +44 (0)1827 250806 · www.foseco.co.uk

* Foseco and its logo are trade marks of the Foseco Group of Companies
 The larger size of briquette may be wired to a suitable plunger made from either
steel or graphite or, if a suitable graphite rod is available, the end can be turned
down into a cone shape and the briquette wedged on to it. This is the most
satisfactory method since it leaves the largest surface area of the briquette
exposed to produce the scavenging gases. For very large melts a dummy stopper
rod is probably the best approach.

LOGAS 50 Size 1A LOGAS 50 Size 4C

Treatment Capacity (kg) 70 300

Effective Hole Diameter (mm) 20 60

Advantages - inexpensive
- requires no costly equipment
- easy to apply
- considerably improves mechanical properties
- effectively eliminates gas porosity due to hydrogen
- safe - non-toxic
- easy to store.

Instructions for Use Multiples of any sizes of briquette may be used together to make up a required
amount provided that a suitable plunging arrangement is ensured.

Units of LOGAS 50 to apply

Weight of Metal to be Degassed (kg)
1A 4C
up to 70 1
70 to 140 2
140 to 225 3
225 to 340 5
340 to 450 1

Note: LOGAS 50 briquettes will remove hydrogen. Castings must be adequately

fed to counteract the additional shrinkage due to removal of this gas. Always store
LOGAS 50 briquettes in their wrapping in a dry place to prevent moisture pickup.
Do make certain that all plunging equipment is thoroughly heated and dried out
before using.

The sequence of operations is as follows:

1. Melt the alloy under the appropriate ALBRAL, CUPRIT or CUPREX flux
applicable to the alloy concerned.

2. Thoroughly preheat the plunger.

3. Select the appropriate quantity of LOGAS 50 briquettes and secure in position

on the plunger.

4. Thoroughly preheat all transfer ladles. A ladle lining can contain moisture
which could neutralise the benefits of degassing the melt.

5. It is advisable to degas on a falling temperature. If degassing in the furnace,

first shut off the flame. If degassing in a transfer ladle, tap the metal at a
temperature slightly above normal as a temperature loss of at least 20 to 30ºC
can be expected during degassing.

Foseco (FS) Limited, Tamworth, Staffordshire, B78 3TL

Tel: +44 (0)1827 289999 · Fax +44 (0)1827 250806 · www.foseco.co.uk

* Foseco and its logo are trade marks of the Foseco Group of Companies
 6. Plunge the LOGAS 50 unit or units slowly into the melt. It is essential to keep
a layer of slag or dross on the surface during this operation to prevent
turbulence and reduce oxidation.

7. Hold the plunger in the metal for at least 3 minutes in the case of melts of less
than 250 kg for 5 minutes in the case of melts up to 900 kg and for 5-10
minutes for larger melts. The longer the bubbling action is allowed to
continue, the more effective will be the degassing.

8. Remove the plunger carefully; hot plungers are easily damaged.

9. Deoxidise the metal with DEOXIDISING TUBES.

10. Skim and pour.

11. Break up or remove the LOGAS 50 residue from the plunger; never attempt to
use the same block for another application.

Note: On melts of less than 45 kg, the evolution of scavenging gases may be quite
vigorous and precautions should be taken to prevent metal splashing.

Performance In a large British foundry, trials were made with LOGAS 50 degassing blocks on
three copper base alloys. The metal, which was melted in a rotary furnace, was
tapped into two ladles, one of which was treated with LOGAS 50 whilst the other
was left untreated. Test bars were cast from each ladle and physical properties
and chemical composition recorded.

Physical Properties
U.T.S Density
Alloy 2 Elongation 3
(tons/in ) (g/cm )
Leaded Bronze 86/10/0/4 untreated 15.4 14% 8.82

Leaded Bronze 86/10/0/4 treated with LOGAS 50 17.9 18% 8.92

Gunmetal 85/5/5/5 untreated 12.0 13% 8.73

Gunmetal 85/5/5/5 treated with LOGAS 50 16.3 17% 8.89

Leaded Bronze 80/10/0/10 untreated 12.2 4% 8.81

Leaded Bronze 80/10/0/10 treated with LOGAS 50 14.7 8% 8.90

Chemical Composition
Cu Sn Zn Pb Ni Al Fe P
% % % % % % % %
Leaded Bronze untreated 86.82 9.06 nil 3.74 0.28 0.01 0.02 0.01
Leaded Bronze treated
86.50 9.18 nil 3.94 0.27 0.01 0.02 0.01
with LOGAS 50

Gunmetal untreated 86.24 4.68 3.10 5.54 0.30 0.01 0.02 0.02
Gunmetal treated with
85.38 4.92 3.10 6.20 0.25 0.01 0.02 0.02
LOGAS 50

Leaded Bronze untreated 79.38 11.45 nil 8.85 0.15 0.01 0.02 0.01

Leaded Bronze treated

80.27 10.80 nil 8.61 0.15 0.01 0.02 0.01
with LOGAS 50

Foseco (FS) Limited, Tamworth, Staffordshire, B78 3TL

Tel: +44 (0)1827 289999 · Fax +44 (0)1827 250806 · www.foseco.co.uk

* Foseco and its logo are trade marks of the Foseco Group of Companies
 The apparent increase or decrease in tin, lead and nickel content in the degassed
samples is attributed to the fact that segregation of these elements in the above
casting alloys is not unusual. The variations are therefore ascribed to sampling
errors and not to the application of LOGAS 50.

Standard Packing Size 1A Cartons of 154

Size 4C Trays of 78

Health and Safety See Material Safety Data Sheet, copies of which are available on request.

Foseco (FS) Limited, Tamworth, Staffordshire, B78 3TL

Tel: +44 (0)1827 289999 · Fax +44 (0)1827 250806 · www.foseco.co.uk

* Foseco and its logo are trade marks of the Foseco Group of Companies