Aluminium on Brass Wheels

Aluminium on Brass Wheels

This topic has 3 replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 22 June 2020 at 16:38 by Patrick Rundle 1.

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22 June 2020 at 16:12 #481490
Patrick Rundle 1
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@patrickrundle1
I have been plagued with a problem for some time and unable to find a solution.

I have cut some brass wheels using an aluminium backing disk. On some of the wheels aluminium is transferred onto the brass during the cutting process.

I have yet to find a way of dissolving aluminium and not the brass – the best so far is Drain Cleaner which bubbles for some time, doesn't seem to attack the brass, but does not remove all the aluminium.

Can anyone suggest a solution for this problem?

Thanks

Pat
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22 June 2020 at 16:12 #3883
Patrick Rundle 1
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@patrickrundle1
Aluminium deposit on brass wheels
22 June 2020 at 16:24 #481495
Andrew Tinsley
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@andrewtinsley63637
An easy solution is to dunk the wheel in an alkali solution. Sodium hydroxide solution is probably the best , but any alkali will do. Sodium carbonate solution (washing soda) or sodium bicarbonate solution should do the job, but more slowly.

Andrew.
22 June 2020 at 16:38 #481501
Patrick Rundle 1
Participant
@patrickrundle1
Thanks for that.

I've checked the contents of the HG liquid drain unblocker I used and the active ingredient is sodium hydroxide.

As I said it bubbles for some time so is probably dissolving most of the aluminium.

The surface left when bubbling stops still looks aluminium coloured rather than brass coloured.

Pat
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