[modeleng] Re: Broken tap and sulphuric acid

  • From: Jerry Kimberlin <kimberln@xxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: modeleng@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Tue, 23 Oct 2007 18:03:21 -0700

The common way to dissolve away steel taps, drills etc., from either 
aluminum or brass/bronze, is to immerse the workpiece into a hot 
saturated solution of potassium aluminum sulphate, which is commonly 
called alum.  Alum should not be hard to find.  It is used in pickling 
and canning food items, among other uses.  Note that the solution won't 
work unless the solution is saturated.  It would work cold but would 
take forever and a day...  Keeping the solution at 60 - 70 deg C is better.

JerryK
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