My apologies.
I can't upload any more photos for some reason but I'll try and elaborate.
These are mechanical socket adaptors made from chromed vanadium steel.
The copper is from its unquie smell, you don't forget copper grease when you've had it all over yours hands..
The deep red I can only assume is the acid that corroded the metals so quickly.
When removing rust from my tools, I'd expect the solution to be a dark, murky colour with very few sediments floating.. this was a complete surprise to have had such a large reaction, even taking into account the state of the tools (see photo bottom of tool carrier)