Melkyor pipe, Dnipropetrovsk region.

Melkyor is an alloy that has extensive applications as a metal that replaces silver in many cases; is made of copper, zinc and nickel. The ratio of components is different: the alloy most similar to silver contains 50 parts of copper, 25 parts of zinc and 25 parts of nickel; castings, e.g. candlesticks, etc., are made of an alloy containing 60 parts of copper, 20 parts of zinc and 20 parts of nickel. M. is harder than silver, perfectly polished, has a grayish-white color and melts when heated to a bright red, and zinc evaporates. For its preparation, metals that are crushed and well mixed together are fused in a crucible, and a small part of copper is placed in a thin layer above and below the mixture, which is then covered with finecoal and is strongly heated in the oven with an abundant flow of air. Or else copper and nickel are first melted down, and pieces of heated zinc are added later. In any case, the mixture must be well mixed to facilitate the melting of the nickel. Sometimes lead or iron is added to obtain a whiter metal. Analyzes of several samples of M. gave the following results: 1) copper 50%, nickel 20%, zinc 30%; this alloy is very malleable and well polished; 2) copper 50%, nickel 26%, zinc 24%; very similar to silver; 3) copper 41%, nickel 18%, zinc 41%, slightly brittle; 4) copper 50%, nickel 25%, zinc 25%; similar to silver, white and malleable; 5) copper 60%, nickel 20%, zinc 20%; very ductile and malleable, rolled into sheets and stretched into wire; 6) copper 40.5%, nickel 31.5%; iron 2.5% and zinc 25.5%; has the appearance and qualities of a Chinese alloy; 7) copper 50%, nickel 50%; recommended by Peluz as an alloy superior to zinc-containing alloys in terms of its properties and appearance; 8) copper 55%, nickel 24%, zinc 16%, tin 3%, iron 2%; white metal for spoons, etc.
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