[modeleng] Alumin(i)um was RE: Re: O/T Disposable Propane bottles

The brains of people with Alzheimer's have more Al in them than the brains 
of those who don't. What is not yet known (so far as I am aware) is whether 
this is a symptom (in which case there is no need to worry) or a cause in 
which case there is a need to worry.

Some people have stopped using Al pans for that reason. We have not totally 
banished ours yet but tend to prefer to use stainless ones.

Al should react with acid on the basis of the thermochemistry (oohh I'm 
coming over all scientific). In fact it reacts rather slowly under normal 
acidic conditions because of the presence of a tough and fairly inert layer 
of Al oxide which prevents the acid getting at the Al.

One of the more dramatic but non-explosive chemistry demos is to scratch Al 
under a film of mercury thereby removing the oxide layer and stopping any 
newly formed oxide crystals stopping the oxide from adhering firmly because 
the Hg and Al react to form an alloy of slightly different lattice spacing. 
The Al oxidises in air before your eyes. A phenomenon familiar to anyone who 
owned a 1960's BMC car...

Al is rapidly attacked by even mild alkali which reacts with the oxide 
layer.

I'd therefore be more cautious about using Al pans for alkali dishes like 
salt cod than for acidic ones like rhubarb.

Manfully attempting to keep it on subject I've my eye on one of our Al pans 
for using in casting a small amount of lead. I can't think of any chemical 
hazards with that (but plenty of physical ones especially if I get caught) 
If anyone knows of any would they let me know?

By the way we spell it right.


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