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Re: Circuits for Dummies



Thanks for the dying method -- the reason for the salt is interesting. I had to
ask the inorganic chemist at Santa Cruz, and have now forgotten.

bc who used that method to clean the copper drinking fountain at Clair Tappaan
Ski lodge.

Brian Whatcott wrote:

At 07:13 PM 2/14/02, Bernard Cleyet wrote:
Another one - Rectifier for line supply: carbon (that #6 cell again) and Al
electrodes in a baking soda electrolyte.

bc

This reminds me of the home anodizing setup:
a few volts - a battery charger will work - positive to the aluminum electrode,
and negative to the other, possibly lead electrode - and the aluminum is
anodized, with an increasingly insulating coat.
If the electrolyte is kept cool then the product can be dyed on the porous
oxide skin, then sealed by soaking in hot water.

On the other hand, to remove the rust coating from a tool etc., making this
the cathode in an electrolytic rig makes a fair pass at stripping to a steel
surface.

There are people who disdain the electrical element, and simply prepare an
acetic acid (or vinegar) solution, loaded with salt. They leave rusty
implements in this solution for some hours, for a similar effect.

Acid solutions are hazardous to metals all the same, and it is better to use
an alkaline solution if there is a choice.

Brian Whatcott
Altus OK Eureka!