Old mechanic's trick to reuse a worn out copper sealing washer, gasket, or seal.

Copper does not harden with quenching like steel does! With copper all it does is help clean the scale off but does not influence the hardness at all. Once softened with the annealing process the washer can conform to a new sealing surface again.

[TheKajunkat]

quenching actually helps it stay soft. Good tip, sometimes you don't have access to new washers or it is a weird size on old or chinese equipment.

[aboabid]

I like the idea. Just as implied, it's a good trick to do when you are in a pinch

[fullyloadedwp]

Or just replace the 50 cent crush washer... lol