Over the past 30 years or so I have accumulated a bunch of old computers which I am breaking down and attempting to refine to recover the various metals. I know that gold, silver, amercury are a few of the metals found in components as well as tin. Now the question is where exactly are the different metals found? OK some solders contain tin. Brass=copper alloyed with zinc. So what are the plated shields found around the external conections plated with? how do I identify all the various metals. Any help with this including links would be greatly appreciated. Most particularly I would like to know how mercury is recoved and where in components to find it, as this is probably the most toxic thing found in computers. I am aware that mercury can be separated from gold using a potatoe, but that method doesnt seem appropriate for removing it from computers.
Edit: I have noticed that most of the wires in computers (insulated, conected to power supply drives etc)are plated with what looks much like solder. Be nice to know what it is.
