Re: Weathered Aluminum
Posted by
beer@s...
on 2002-02-20 10:57:14 UTC
Off topic post, I know, but in the interest of safety ...
anything".
The bubbles that come off are almost pure hydrogen. It's EXTREMELY
corrosive and damages your airways orders of magnitude faster than
smoking.
Hydrogen is also EXTREMELY explosive ( remember that Hindenberg
critter ? ), requiring EXTREME caution.
Don't believe me ? Put a cup or so of the solution in a pop bottle. Put
some strips of aluminum foil in the pop bottle. Put a balloon on top of
the bottle.
The balloon will inflate, albeit modestly. (The pressure is pretty low)
Remove and tie the balloon. If it float.
Put a match to the balloon, from a distance of at least 10 feet,
preferably FIFTY. It will EXPLODE in a BIG fireball with truly
frightening force.
Now consider a gallon of the solution, not a cup and 10 pounds of AL,
not a gram. Consider too all the things in your house that make sparks,
even little ones. Then think again about doing it indoors.
NaOH as a method of cleaning aluminum is quite effective and a wonderful
method of treating Al in preparation for painting.
But it has to be done outside, and has to be done upwind.
Alan
--
Alan Rothenbush | The Spartans do not ask the number of the
Academic Computing Services | enemy, only where they are.
Simon Fraser University |
Burnaby, B.C., Canada | Agix of Sparta
> I'm sure it's common sense but take a good deal of care around it if youI wouldn't be quite so quick to say "the bubbles don't really do
> make it real strong and in quantity. The bubbles that come away burst and
> liberate caustic vapour into the air. It doesn't do anything really but if
> you breath it in it gives you a slight cough and it stings a bit.
anything".
The bubbles that come off are almost pure hydrogen. It's EXTREMELY
corrosive and damages your airways orders of magnitude faster than
smoking.
Hydrogen is also EXTREMELY explosive ( remember that Hindenberg
critter ? ), requiring EXTREME caution.
Don't believe me ? Put a cup or so of the solution in a pop bottle. Put
some strips of aluminum foil in the pop bottle. Put a balloon on top of
the bottle.
The balloon will inflate, albeit modestly. (The pressure is pretty low)
Remove and tie the balloon. If it float.
Put a match to the balloon, from a distance of at least 10 feet,
preferably FIFTY. It will EXPLODE in a BIG fireball with truly
frightening force.
Now consider a gallon of the solution, not a cup and 10 pounds of AL,
not a gram. Consider too all the things in your house that make sparks,
even little ones. Then think again about doing it indoors.
NaOH as a method of cleaning aluminum is quite effective and a wonderful
method of treating Al in preparation for painting.
But it has to be done outside, and has to be done upwind.
Alan
--
Alan Rothenbush | The Spartans do not ask the number of the
Academic Computing Services | enemy, only where they are.
Simon Fraser University |
Burnaby, B.C., Canada | Agix of Sparta