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What is this metal?
JohnnyMalaria:
--- Quote from: T3sl4co1l on May 05, 2021, 10:58:26 pm ---Zinc is hexagonal, and tin tetragonal, while most other metals are fcc or bcc cubic.
--- End quote ---
That's true for tin above about 13degC. Below that, it undergoes a change in crystal habit resulting in a much more brittle substance. Back in the days when tin cans were made of tin, they were used to store fuel for (ant)arctic expeditions. Needless to say, it wasn't a good choice.
(Just another strange fact taught 40+ years ago that finally gets an airing :) )
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tin_pest
amyk:
...and there's also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinc_pest , more closely related to OP's metal.
twospoons:
sit it in a little salt water and measure the voltage between it and a piece of copper in the same salt water. Knowing the electrode potential of copper and the voltage out of this crude battery should give a good pointer to what metal it is.
If it didn't melt under the butane torch then its probably not zinc. Or not pure zinc at least. MP 420C for zinc.
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