aluminum, copper, brass electrolysis

Chris Jones · Aug 7, 2014

I've had some parts over the years (now a fuel shutoff/glass bowl) that are cast aluminum with brass parts and steel parts. The steel is very, very rusted and will not turn loose. I'd like to put all this in my electrolysis tank but will it damage aluminum? Copper? Brass?

I'd prefer someone who's had first hand experience with them answer, as I also have read articles on the internet and they differ on their opinions, plus I'm not sure which to trust.

Thanks.

Billy NY · Aug 7, 2014

I can't answer the question, except you could try sample materials first ?

What us intriguing is that the assemblies, if made with all 3 materials or steel and any of the other 2, is dissimilar materials, there needs to be a bond breaker or like with plumbing, a dielectric union to avoid galvanic action from contact of dissimilar materials, which is likely the oxidation or similar that you have now, its been known a long time, are these factory parts, just curious ?

Chris Jones · Aug 7, 2014

Yea, I'm a bit foggy on that stuff. It's a cast aluminum housing with a steel shutoff made of steal shaft and collar or nut that it goes through which itself is threaded into the housing. It appears to be a brass outlet fitting. All pretty standard stuff for a bowl shutoff that's attached to a gas tank. It's a real mess and I was hoping the electrolysis will either clean it out w/o removing all the parts or free them up enough to be removed w/o damage.

It'd be nice to know how those metals would react as it either opens or closes the window to quickly cleaning assemblies like this.

Kinda hope someone knows--otherwise I'll just try it I guess.

Billy NY · Aug 7, 2014

Someone will know, I understand electrolysis, but with ferrous metals, displaces the rust, but with the threaded parts, of both ferrous, non-ferrous, not sure what the brass or aluminum will do either, both are good conductors of electricity, am wondering what will happen where they join with the steel, is it ferrous oxide,(rust) and or doesn't that expand, well in this situation, I've seen its power in others, good to be cautious with old parts. Wish I could be of more help, but its a really interesting question, someone will know for sure, give it time.

dr sportster · Aug 7, 2014

In normal plating the anode is the plating material and the cathode is the workpiece. So I assume in stripping with electrolisis it is opposite. Any material submerged in the salt [any bath is called the salt] will erode from the current flowing from the workpiece back into the salt.So all the conductive submerged parts will give up molecules in the flow of current through them and will get smaller as they erode.

bison · Aug 7, 2014

Put it in a can of coke, it'll boil the rust right out.

Anonymous-0 · Aug 7, 2014

Try a mix of 7 parts water to 1 part of plain old molasses. Don't laugh, it works. Just takes a few days submerged in it.

Hendrik · Aug 7, 2014

I've cleaned dozens of steel parts, large and small, in my electrolysis vat.

a) My observation is that two steel parts that are rusted together will NOT come loose. Probably because electrolysis is a line of sight process.
b) No experience with assemblies of mixed metals. Would try it on a piece of junk first.

HTH, Hendrik

JRSutton · Aug 7, 2014

agreed there - two joined pieces aren't going to benefit at all from electrolysis.

About as effective as wire brushing the assembly. Might be a good thing to do, but it's not going to get in and free anything up.

You can soak it forever in penetrating oil, but heat and impact are probably your best bets.

Aluminum's tough because it's got a low melting point - so go easy with a torch. Instead of going for glowing red as you normally would, just Heat/cool/heat/cool the repetitive action of expansion and contraction could eventually free it up.

Between each heating cycle, give the wrench a series of sharp taps with a hammer instead of a steady hard force - that's always better for unsticking a bolt. Impact gun might be a little much on aluminum

Ken Crisman · Aug 7, 2014

Chris , check this site out for rust removal : www.metalrescue.com/home.aspx . It only destroys rust . I've tried it by buying a 5 gallon pail thru Home Depot since I couldn't buy directly from the company. Personal experience tells that Electrolisys will destroy aluminum . Hope this helps .God bless. Ken

JoeM(GA) · Aug 8, 2014

do not do it, brass and aluminum will be ruined quickly.

Determined · Aug 8, 2014

(quoted from post at 09:10:50 08/07/14) I've had some parts over the years (now a fuel shutoff/glass bowl) that are cast aluminum with brass parts and steel parts. The steel is very, very rusted and will not turn loose. I'd like to put all this in my electrolysis tank but will it damage aluminum? Copper? Brass?

I'd prefer someone who's had first hand experience with them answer, as I also have read articles on the internet and they differ on their opinions, plus I'm not sure which to trust.

Thanks.

I have a hot plate and a big old soup pot in the shop.
When I have to clean up something like what you have I mix up some of the old style radiator cleaner [oxalic acid] and water and warm it up hot but not boiling.
Submerge the assembley in the pot and let it soak.
5-10 minutes does wonders but check it often to make sure nothing is getting eaten away.
I used this method on an old Marvel Schebler MA-5 that was corroded beyond belief.
Brass, copper, aluminum and steel all survived and parts that could not be removed without breaking bolts and screws literally came apart by finger after soaking.
A good rinse and or a dip in a neutralizing solution when done is reccomeded.

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aluminum, copper, brass electrolysis

Chris Jones

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Billy NY

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Chris Jones

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Billy NY

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dr sportster

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bison

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Anonymous-0

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Hendrik

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JRSutton

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Ken Crisman

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JoeM(GA)

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Determined

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