fire refining
Fire refining is a metallurgical process used to purify metals, particularly copper and silver. In this method, impure metal is heated in a furnace, allowing unwanted elements to oxidize and separate from the desired metal. The process often involves adding fluxes, which help to remove impurities and improve the quality of the final product.
During fire refining, the temperature is carefully controlled to ensure that the metal remains in a molten state. As the impurities rise to the surface, they form a slag that can be removed. This results in a purer metal that can be further processed or used in various applications.