Annealing Copper Sheet Metal

Annealing copper makes it softer and less brittle which allows you to bend it without breaking it.

Annealing copper sheet metal.

Annealing is a technique that all metalsmiths will. If all you want to do is color the copper a small torch will likely do the job but you are not likely to be able to actualy anneal any signifiacnt size piece. Copper is one of the metals that hardens when it is worked bent stretched. You can anneal any grade and thickness of copper as long as you have a flame that can transmit enough heat to the metal.

Making it more malleable. Annealing is a method of softening metal that has been hardened by one method or another. This malleability allows you to hammer and mold the copper into any shape you wish without cracking the metal. This is especially so in metals that become work hardened like copper and brass although brass can become very brittle and fracture easily especially if it has been heated.

To define the annealing process in simple terms means to remove any stresses and return material to a soft and workable state ie. This video shows you how to safely use the torches in this classroom as well as anneal a piece of copper and add firescale. Darlene armstrong director and co owner of the denver school of metal arts shows you how to anneal a sheet of copper using an acetylene torch.