Odd bar that I cant identify(also posted in PM forum)

Jinx86

Ive had this bar for 3-4 years now and still have not found any information on it. What I think it is a bar that was dipped in a solution and had atoms removed from it to plate other objects in the solution. Now thats just my guess, Ive done gold/silver plating before but never with a bar like this. So I brought it here to seek out the infinite wisdom of the forum.

Its about 6 inches tall 2 1/4 wide and not quite as thick as a quarter (I dont have my machinists rule on me today sorry).

lordmarcovan

Yep, you're right. Odd.

The impression I got before I read your full description, based on the pix alone, was that it was indeed some kind of doohickey for electroplating.

But I dunno, of course.

What is the actual composition of this item, and is it solid, or plated over a differently composed core? Or do you have any idea?

Jinx86

from the cut I made and acid tested it was pure silver and I was not the first to acid test it.

lordmarcovan

Pretty nice hunk o' silver, then.

I guess it might be an anode of some sort?

Usually Wikipedia is a godsend because it helps me out when I'm in the dark on something, but I gotta say, I just skimmed that article and from the language used therein, I'm still in the dark. Haha. No wonder I flunked high school chemistry.

pmac

<< <i>Yep, you're right. Odd.

The impression I got before I read your full description, based on the pix alone, was that it was indeed some kind of doohickey for electroplating.

But I dunno, of course.

What is the actual composition of this item, and is it solid, or plated over a differently composed core? Or do you have any idea? >>


anode/cathode I'm sure the "scientists" among us can identify.

notwilight

Electrode. More industrial than scientific likely. --Jerry

lordmarcovan

Electrode, anode, cathode, explode, motherlode... I knew it was one o' dem "-ode" words.

notwilight

<< <i>

Electrode, anode, cathode, explode, motherlode... I knew it was one o' dem "-ode" words. >>



Anode and cathode terminology defines the polarity of the current flow. Electrode is the general term for the two. So if you don't know which one it is (and I don't) use electrode to be safe. Wasn't saying you are wrong, in fact, I was agreeing with you. --Jerry

lordmarcovan

Ah. And you've educated me as well. So both the anode and cathode are electrodes, then?

Cameonut

I used to do industrial silver plating. It sure looks like a silver anode to me - although we did not use that particular supplier and the anodes we bought had the hooks (to hook onto the anode rail - where the DC current comes from) already installed.

That dark streaking toward the bottom of the pieces is typical of what they look like after some use - especially if it is not smooth and a little rough.

The fact that it is much thinner on the bottom (when looking on-edge) is a dead giveaway that it is well used and was probably set aside for recycling into a new anode.

(Now you should see the gold anodes!)

Jinx86

Do pieces like this have any collectors value? Its not something that really comes to mind as collectible but hey some people collect toast that looks like Jesus. So whos to say?

Thank you for the replies thus far.