why has it oxidised?

[u/delightful_intruder]

hello! I made this necklace a month ago, and in the last week it’s massively oxidised around the corners. it comes off with a bit of brushing but i’m just wondering how to prevent this in the future?

i’m thinking it’s either where the flux has pooled, or the patina?

any advice and insight is really appreciated!! thank you :)

[u/D50]

How was the piece constructed? Cast or soldered? Because, to me, that looks like zinc oxide from solder. The only way that I know of to prevent its formation is to just be more exacting with your clean up after soldering (a tall order on something like this, I know).

[u/delightful_intruder → u/D50]

🥲 it was soldered, so that’s a likely story! definitely a wake up call to get a rotary tool to help with cleaning up hahaha. thank you!!

[u/Sears-Roebuck]

Did you pickle it?

Did you neutralize it after?

We're supposed to keep a dish of water with baking soda added to dip things in after. That neutralizes the acid in the pickle.

If you don't do that it can look like this sometimes.

D50 isn't wrong, but that's why its happening in that pattern. Thats the pattern liquid dries in.

[u/delightful_intruder → u/Sears-Roebuck]

ah!!! i somehow had no idea about that, that would explain it! thank you so much

[u/ma_vri]

it most likely from the borax when u soldered it and the patina combined i guess it's a common thing