Re: [alfa] Re: Locktite & copper washers

[Mark Denovich <denovich@xxxxxxxxx>]

Copper as it is "worked" (bent, squeezed or otherwise deformed)
hardens.  It also hardens as it is exposed to various environmental
conditions.

Crush washers (and copper exhaust gaskets) rely on the copper being
soft enough to deform.

Annealling copper returns the pieces to "dead soft" conditions.  
Dropping them in a bucket of water does nothing except cool them off
quickly.    In other metals, say carbon steel, quenching the item in
water would actually make it harder.   But in copper it doesn't matter
how fast it cools, it stays soft.

--Mark
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