Will NaOH dissolve aluminum without damaging fiberglass?

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    Aluminum Dissolve
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the chemical dissolution of aluminum, specifically a 6063 aluminum tube, while minimizing damage to a fiberglass/epoxy outer wrap. Participants explore various chemical methods, including acids and bases, and their potential effects on both aluminum and fiberglass.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest using a redox reaction with electrodes and an electrolyte to dissolve aluminum without harming the fiberglass.
  • Others propose testing concentrated hydrochloric acid (HCl) or sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to see their effects on the aluminum and fiberglass.
  • There are concerns about the potential damage that acids or bases might cause to the fiberglass coating.
  • Some participants mention that NaOH can dissolve aluminum but may also affect epoxy, while others argue that most epoxy resins are fairly unaffected by NaOH.
  • A few participants note that the reaction rate of NaOH with aluminum is slow initially due to the aluminum oxide layer, but speeds up once this layer is removed.
  • One participant mentions using sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) as a slower, controlled method for etching aluminum, raising questions about its effectiveness against anodization.
  • There are discussions about the safety and effectiveness of using sulfuric acid for removing aluminum shims, with concerns about its effects on adjacent steel components.
  • Some participants share experiences with using methanol and sonication to dissolve aluminum, noting the production of hydrogen gas during the process.
  • Clarifications are made regarding the chemical reactions involved in dissolving aluminum with NaOH, with some participants questioning the existence of certain aluminum compounds formed during the reaction.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express multiple competing views regarding the effectiveness and safety of various chemicals for dissolving aluminum, with no consensus reached on the best approach. Concerns about the impact on fiberglass and other materials remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in their knowledge of the specific effects of different chemicals on fiberglass and aluminum, as well as the need for further testing to determine the best method for dissolution without damage.

  • #31
Borek said:
Compounds like aluminates are notoriously difficult to describe, as their composition - in terms of number of water molecules and OH- attached to the cation - is a matter of multistep equilibrium. Hence you will find different formulas in different sources.
Yes, this is true, but that one I've never seen it before.
 
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  • #32
lightarrow said:
Are you sure Na3AlO3 really exists? Anyway, I don't see any problem in the previous reaction you wrote:

2Al + 2NaOH + 2H2O ---> 2NaAlO2 + 3H2
+ ---
Hello, no I am not sure it exists ,but i don't have a problem with 3Na and AlO3
in solution.
The problem with the previous reaction i was having is that it implies that the hydrogens
in the two waters are reduced/released in the product as hydrogen gas.
And I could not see any mechanism for that in the reaction with NaOH and Al.
If you can describe that mechanism I would appreciate it
(please place the pos & negs over the ions)
 
  • #33
morrobay said:
+ ---
Hello, no I am not sure it exists ,but i don't have a problem with 3Na and AlO3
in solution.
The problem with the previous reaction i was having is that it implies that the hydrogens
in the two waters are reduced/released in the product as hydrogen gas.
And I could not see any mechanism for that in the reaction with NaOH and Al.
If you can describe that mechanism I would appreciate it
(please place the pos & negs over the ions)
Al reacts with water when the oxide layer is removed:

2Al + 3H2O --> Al2O3 + 3H2

NaOH dissolves the oxide layer.
 

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