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Using Crushed Iron Pyrite When Gluing Baculite Joints


JustPlainPetrified

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Hello everyone,

I friend of mine suggested I should use crushed iron pyrite in my glue when sealing pieces of baculite. Many of the baculites I have found are filled with pyrite and some of the cracks are crusted with it. If I use the pyrite in the glue it will make the joint look natural. What do you think? Good idea? I bought a 500gm chunk of pyrite today at the Rocktopia Rock & Gem Show in Lacombe, Alberta today for $6 so can crush that up in a hurry.

Grant

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I agree. Also I know that cutting pyrite creates a black pyrite dust... I wonder if crushing it will turn It black as we'll. And the dust is supposed to be nasty.

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I would think you are asking for trouble down the line by incorporating crushed pyrite in your glue. "Pyrite disease" could easily result, further damaging the fossil. Better to just use a good cyanoacrylic.

Thanks Karl, at least I have a nice piece of pyrite. B)

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I agree. Also I know that cutting pyrite creates a black pyrite dust... I wonder if crushing it will turn It black as we'll. And the dust is supposed to be nasty.

Thanks jpc, I don't like 'nasty' and as I said to Karl, at least I have a nice piece of pyrite.

Grant

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  • 3 weeks later...

Of course if your specimen already has pyrite in it it may succumb to pyrite disease someday, but on the other hand I'm not sure what effect crushing it and putting it in glue will have - maybe worse, maybe no different!

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If you're trying to mask a glue join, you can buy bronze powder at your local craft store. Bronze is relatively inert compared with iron pyrite. The inclusion of any foreign material in the glue will weaken the join.

http://pristis.wix.com/the-demijohn-page

 

What seest thou else

In the dark backward and abysm of time?

---Shakespeare, The Tempest

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

The inclusion of any foreign material in the glue will weaken the join.

I don't guess this qualifies as "foreign" but a product called q-bond comes with a powder that is useful for filling gaps in a joined surface and actually serves to make the joint much stronger. You add the cyanoacrylic adhesive after the powder is in place because it sets so quickly, no time to work like epoxy. The powder comes in gray or black, one is good for very high temperatures. Maybe then a thin layer of bronze powder can be added on the outer surface.

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