Mecuric oxide

[Lindus]

Some years ago a polisher returned from Japan with a list of chemicals to be used in the final stage of polishing, this included Mercuric oxide.......

 

(inorganic chemistry) HgO A compound of mercury that exists in two forms, red mercuric oxide and yellow mercuric oxide; the red form decomposes upon heating, is insoluble in water, and is used in pigments and paints, and in ceramics; the yellow form is insoluble in water, decomposes upon heating, and is used in medicine. Also known as mercury oxide; red precipitate; yellow precipitate.

 

When he asked a Chemist for some of this he was told that as it was considered pretty dangerous and thus would not be available over the counter.

 

To what purpose would this have been used by a Japanese polisher?

 

Roy

[Lance]

Maybe they were part of the polisher's formula for nugui, I think applying it is the last or second to last step in polishing process?

Regards,

Lance

[Lindus]

Yes it was Lance, I suppose my question is related to to long running debate as to the use of chemicals that also include acids in the polishing process. In the eighties I spent some time with a well known Japanese polisher & his English partner, they would not comment on the content of their negui, later I saw dilute nitric acid used to highlite the hamon at the early stage of polish thus allowing appropriate actions.

 

I know that all trades have there secrets,just curious..............

Roy

[drbvac]

Well have no idea regarding the specific compounds but I know as a dentist working with Mercury the metal it sure as hell is poisonous AND it will change the color and ruin any jewelry it comes in contact with either gold or silver so it no doubt would strongly affect anything it was placed on.

[Lindus]

Interesting Brian, Wonder how this compound/chemical could be used in Nigui to enhance the final stage polish.?

Roy

[Veli]

Bad stuff...

 

 

Synonyms: Mercury (II) oxide; mercuric oxide red; mercuric oxide yellow

CAS No.: 21908-53-2

Molecular Weight: 216.59

Chemical Formula: HgO

 

J.T. Baker SAF-T-DATA Ratings

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Health Rating: 4 - Extreme (Poison)

Flammability Rating: 0 - None

Reactivity Rating: 0 - None

Contact Rating: 3 - Severe (Life)

Lab Protective Equip: GOGGLES; LAB COAT; VENT HOOD; PROPER GLOVES

Storage Color Code: Blue (Health)

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Potential Health Effects

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Inhalation:

Causes irritation to the respiratory tract. Symptoms include sore throat, coughing, pain,

tightness in chest, breathing difficulties, shortness of breath and headache. Pneumonitis

may develop. Can be absorbed through inhalation with symptoms to parallel ingestion.

Ingestion:

Highly Toxic! Average lethal dose for inorganic mercury salts is about 1 gram. May cause

burning of the mouth and pharynx, abdominal pain, vomiting, corrosive ulceration, bloody

diarrhea. May be followed by a rapid and weak pulse, shallow breathing, paleness,

exhaustion, central nervous system problems, tremors and collapse. Delayed death may

occur from renal failure.

Skin Contact:

Causes irritaton. Symptoms include redness and pain. May cause burns. May cause

sensitization. Can be absorbed through the skin with symptoms to parallel ingestion.

Eye Contact:

Causes irritation and burns to eyes. Symptoms include redness, pain, blurred vision; may

cause serious and permanent eye damage.

Chronic Exposure:

Chronic exposure through any route can produce central nervous system damage. May

cause muscle tremors, personality and behavior changes, memory loss, metallic taste,

loosening of the teeth, digestive disorders, skin rashes, brain damage and kidney damage.

Can cause skin allergies and accumulate in the body. Repeated skin contact can cause the

skin to turn gray in color. Not a known reproductive hazard, but related mercury

compounds can damage the developing fetus and decrease fertility in males and females.

Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions:

Persons with nervous disorders, or impaired kidney or respiratory function, or a history of

allergies or a known sensitization to mercury may be more susceptible to the effects of the

substance.

 

Veli

[Ken-Hawaii]

Veli is correct that almost any mercury compound can be deadly. It's a heavy metal, & the hundred times or so that I've used it as a chemical engineer, the powder didn't strike me as particularly abrasive. This sounds like a togishi who was telling his competitors something that not only wouldn't work, but would eventually kill them....

 

Dr. B, mercury simply doesn't affect steel at all except at extremely high pressures, unlike gold & silver with which it forms an amalgam...which incidentally isn't used by U.S. dentists any longer.

 

Ken