Nikko Posted December 21, 2013 Posted December 21, 2013 Hi all. I found a pdf of a pretty ancient book with many many recipes for really random things. I wanted a way to put coloured oxide layers on brass. There was one in the book that is (roughly) 3 parts copper sulphate, 2 parts sodium thiosulphate, one part tartaric acid, Dissolve all three in juuuuust enough water (room temp) to dissolve them. it works really well, I need to refine it, but zI have some rather nice grey/blue brass. When I bought the sodium thiosulphate though, the first question I got was 'what are you using it for?'. I have only been asked that when I wanted KNO3, or H2O2, and things of that nature. I can't really go back to the shop and ask the girl how I could misuse a product, so does anyone have the answer? Or is there no answer?
ollie1016 Posted December 21, 2013 Posted December 21, 2013 Hi all. I found a pdf of a pretty ancient book with many many recipes for really random things. I wanted a way to put coloured oxide layers on brass. There was one in the book that is (roughly) 3 parts copper sulphate, 2 parts sodium thiosulphate, one part tartaric acid, Dissolve all three in juuuuust enough water (room temp) to dissolve them. it works really well, I need to refine it, but zI have some rather nice grey/blue brass. When I bought the sodium thiosulphate though, the first question I got was 'what are you using it for?'. I have only been asked that when I wanted KNO3, or H2O2, and things of that nature. I can't really go back to the shop and ask the girl how I could misuse a product, so does anyone have the answer? Or is there no answer?No offence dude, but type it into Google first, and have a look online on chemical websites
Mumbles Posted December 21, 2013 Posted December 21, 2013 I don't know of anything overly dangerous about it. It's a reducing agent, but nothing notably strong or useful for anything too nefarious.
Peret Posted January 2, 2014 Posted January 2, 2014 Standard answer to the question 'what are you using it for?' is 'my mother sent me to buy it'. At least, it was a good answer when I was a kid buying potassium nitrate. 1
a_bab Posted January 2, 2014 Posted January 2, 2014 You want to use it for BW photography (or holography if you want to sound interesting).You have a nasty iodine stain you want to remove. Do your homework before asking ridiculous questions.
taiwanluthiers Posted January 2, 2014 Posted January 2, 2014 I'm sure any chemical is dangerous if misused. Even salt can kill you if taken too much. It's used as an antidote for cyanide poisoning so I doubt it's very harmful.
Arthur Posted January 2, 2014 Posted January 2, 2014 Thiosulphate is used as fixer in Black and White photography, it's also the special ingredient in hair shampoos for "after swimming" as it neutralises any chlorine based bleach from the water. Wikipedia may give you specific hazard data including R and S phrases.
Nikko Posted January 14, 2014 Author Posted January 14, 2014 (edited) Gees dudes, lighten up. I asked here *because* I couldn't find anything nasty when I looked online. I used my own abilities and when they came up short, I asked you. People would ask more intelligent questions here if you didn't tell them they are stupid for trying to get an answer. I studied chemistry at Uni, so I know to look at the MSDS. Thanks a_bab for a supremely unhelpful response. I told her what I was doing, and bought it. I didn't need help on making up a story. Peret: at 6'4", nobody believes my mother sent me to buy anything. Fair enough suggestion though. Finally, Mumbles. Thanks mate, for answering my question Edited January 14, 2014 by Nikko
schroedinger Posted January 14, 2014 Posted January 14, 2014 Also used for absorbing bromine or make sulphides
taiwanluthiers Posted January 21, 2014 Posted January 21, 2014 Although if you read the MSDS for water and salt, you're supposed to wear protection around them...
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