Feeler/selling: Sodium and Potassium Metal

[Addonex]

I saw a few posts in the elements group buy of people looking for sodium metal and potassium metal, I've got a small quantity on hand and would sell it if someone is interested. I'm not really looking to acquire more and resell additional amounts because the hazmat shipping fees are very prohibitive, but I'm assuming a few people here may want it enough to not worry about the fees.

I have 3 quantities of sodium metal, each about 1-2 grams in cm chunks under mineral oil in glass vials. I have one sample of potassium in similar chunks, I believe a total of 4-5 grams.

I'm asking $10 for each of the sodium samples and $40 for the potassium sample (also accepting trades). I can only ship these via FedEx within the continental United States, shipping will be at cost + hazmat fee of $27.50. If you're interested, please leave a response or contact me by PM so we can discuss details.

I'd like to add that these materials are extremely dangerous in untrained hands, they will severely injure you if you don't handle them carefully. Buyers will need to provide proof of ID and be over 21.

Super close-up:

PS. if this should go in a different board, please move it :yh:

 

[Calphor]

Nice close up. You can see the individual crystals in the metal. Very nice!

 

[AUS]

I suppose international shipping is out?

 

[Addonex]

I suppose international shipping is out?

Sorry but international shipping is a bit too complicated for me I think, I don't know the laws/regulations well enough or if customs will even allow it. It probably also would cost more in shipping fees.

 

[T_Warne]

That sodium looks awesome. How soft is it actually. I've read that you can cut it with a butter knife.

I would never trust myself to buy it... I have the urge to squish it and try and mold it into little figures like clay. I'm guessing that might be a bad idea.

 

[Addonex]

That sodium looks awesome. How soft is it actually. I've read that you can cut it with a butter knife.

I would never trust myself to buy it... I have the urge to squish it and try and mold it into little figures like clay. I'm guessing that might be a bad idea.

What I did in preparing these was to dump the block of sodium I acquired into a large tub of mineral oil and then used a razor to cut all the exposed surfaces off and then diced it and sealed it in the vials without it being exposed to oxygen. The result was that super shiny crystalline surface. Unfortunately they've slowly oxidized a bit in storage and they're a bit duller now.

I would say the hardness is around that of molding clay, I could squish it with my hands, though I wouldn't recommend it I had a face shield and gloves on for protection in case of any accidents.

 

[T_Warne]

I am fascinated by metals that don't behave as a metal should. When I was a kid my mom had to hide thermometers from me because I would break them and play with the Mercury. ( I wonder how badly I have managed poison myself through the years? :thinking: ).

 

[Sigurthr]

Man I can remember when 100g of K was only $55. Oh for the days of yore. I had so much evil fun. I miss my K log.

Don't get Na unless you are experienced with alkalai metals, it can explode on contact with moisture, where as K will just catch on fire. K can form superoxides if left out of oil in the air though, which are explosive... and not all oil is created the same, it must be "dry" oil.

Anyway, good luck with the sale and have fun. One day I need to get ahold of some more K.

 

[Apocalypse]

Yea, as said above. Don't store the potassium for too long before you use it because the potassium can accumulate oxides, hydroxides and peroxides on its surface. This black or yellow layer can become a shock-sensitive explosive if it becomes too thick.

 

[AUS]

I always wanted to play with sodium. I decided not to try and make it from sodium hydroxide as I value my skin and eyes. If we have some Na lamps at work fail I may see if I can extract some from them. I also thought about getting it out of car engine valves..

 

[vk2fro]

Sodium is oodles of fun. Way back when we lobbed a sizable chunk of it into a pond. It went off like a combination of a multi shot barrage cake and packet of fire crackers. Each bang was accompanied by a shower of sparks, and then lots of little "plops" as the rest of the metal fell back into the water, only to go off again. Was banging and popping for a good 30 seconds.

Good luck with the sale - that stuffs almost impossible to get in this country now (like anything fun - guns, lasers, chemicals)

 

[tsteele93]

It is rare that I would say this, but that actually looks to dangerous for me to want to mess with!

 

[vk2fro]

yes all of the alkali metals are pretty dangerous to play with. I stopped doing stupid stuff like that years ago. Playing with lasers and HV/HC is about the only dangerous stuff I get into now (altho I am considering joining a pistol club)

 

[trademark91]

Good lord. That stuff's dangerous. If I were in your shoes, I'd be more careful about even selling it, I think the person buying it also has to have some sort of clearance and/or license even to recieve it. There's one thing that I'd say is too dangerous for me to even think about getting.

 

[Addonex]

Good lord. That stuff's dangerous. If I were in your shoes, I'd be more careful about even selling it, I think the person buying it also has to have some sort of clearance and/or license even to recieve it. There's one thing that I'd say is too dangerous for me to even think about getting.

It's really surprising how little is required to buy sodium online. I keep records of everyone I've sold hazardous materials to (from their proof of ID) and always ship under hazmat guidelines and with proper MSDS and safety information included. All it takes is a good bit of precaution and respect and it's really no more dangerous than some of the lasers in our pockets.