Annodising Aluminium

[Misterg]

Reason I am asking is I am going to need about 25l of solution and going with the stuff I got from Classic Plating that is going to cost me about £100

You'd need ~6.25kg of Sodium bisulphate to make up 25l if my maths is right which should be a lot cheaper than £100!

e.g.:

All Swim Pool Acid Sodium Bisulphate pH Minus (Lowers pH)

Balance your pool water with All Swim Dry Acid. Easy-to-use sodium bisulphate lowers pH, prevents scaling, and improves chlorine performance.

www.allswimltd.com

Blue Horizons pH Minus Sodium Bisulphate 25kg

Blue Horizons pH Minus Sodium Bisulphate 25kg available online. Supplied with fast delivery!

www.allianceonline.co.uk

(P.S. - could you cut the top off something like this for a tank?

 

[Hood]

The stuff from Classic Plating was Sodium Bisulphate and Sodium Fluoride.
Not sure what quantities of each and not sure if that is better or worse than pure Sodium Bisulphate.
Also would acid be better or worse than either as acid is working out at around £36

Regarding the tank, I found a waste paper basket on RS that should do the job.

 

[Seadog]

You're aware, I'm sure, that you will need an EPC licence to buy sulphuric stronger than 3%?

 

[Hood]

Do you? have it in my basket and no mention of that?

 

[Misterg]

Also would acid be better or worse than either as acid is working out at around £36

I don't know for sure, as I've never used the acid, but I think the chemistry is the same for both.

 

[Seadog]

Do you? have it in my basket and no mention of that?

Actually I've confused it with, I think, nitric acid. Sulphuric you can buy up to 15% concentration without a licence.

Government introduces tough new measure to prevent acid attacks

The government has banned people possessing strong sulphuric acid without a valid reason as part of its drive to tackle acid attacks and violent crime.

www.gov.uk

 

[prepman]

Hydrochloric any good? Concrete cleaner from builders.

 

[Seadog]

No, that eats aluminium.

 

[Kram]

Anyone know of a place to get a relatively narrow but wide and tall plastic tub.
Thinking of trying to anodise a rack plate with dimensions of 360mm x 300mm x 25mm and all I can find so far will need 30 plus litres of solution as they are more square than I need.

Cereal containers. Im not sure if my cheap one is quite that large but they go very big. Also used as pet food bins for the larger ones.

Or if you get a square container, you could use a couple of smaller weighted containers to displace most of the solution.

If the NaHSO⁴ is adequate, this is the big tub I got.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07DH8DMP8/

 

[Maker]

You're aware, I'm sure, that you will need an EPC licence to buy sulphuric stronger than 3%?

Since when? I've got a bottle of 96% in the shed! I bought it a few years ago to use as drain cleaner, though I've barely used it as it's a bit scary, I don't have a licence and don't remember having to jump though any hoops to get it.

 

[Seadog]

2018

 

[Misterg]

2018

And I believe that the mere possession of sulphuric acid in excess of 15%(outside of a battery / not for legitimate professional use) is now a criminal offence - penalty 2 years jail / unlimited fine.

Government introduces tough new measure to prevent acid attacks

The government has banned people possessing strong sulphuric acid without a valid reason as part of its drive to tackle acid attacks and violent crime.

www.gov.uk

I know. Crazy, isn’t it?

 

[Maker]

And I believe that the mere possession of sulphuric acid in excess of 15%(outside of a battery / not for legitimate professional use) is now a criminal offence - penalty 2 years jail / unlimited fine.

Government introduces tough new measure to prevent acid attacks

The government has banned people possessing strong sulphuric acid without a valid reason as part of its drive to tackle acid attacks and violent crime.

www.gov.uk

I know. Crazy, isn’t it?

I just remembered that bottle I've got is actually 96% water.

 

[Seadog]

And I believe that the mere possession of sulphuric acid in excess of 15%(outside of a battery / not for legitimate professional use) is now a criminal offence - penalty 2 years jail / unlimited fine.

Government introduces tough new measure to prevent acid attacks

The government has banned people possessing strong sulphuric acid without a valid reason as part of its drive to tackle acid attacks and violent crime.

www.gov.uk

I know. Crazy, isn’t it?

So many things are now on the proscribed list. Mercury is another.

 

[Misterg]

So many things are now on the proscribed list. Mercury is another.

There was a recent consultation on reducing the limits for some things (notably nitromethane)

Consultation paper: amendments to the Poisons Act 1972

www.gov.uk

(Sorry, I didn't realise that I had posted the same link as you above.)

 

[Kram]

Its a Europe wide ban. Acid throwing is a common punishment in some asian countries, particually India I believe.

No restriction on plenty of other common, instant blindness/skin melty chemicals though, so it will continue exactly as before. Its also very easy to bypass, anyone can make concentrated sulphuric.. pointless restriction.

 

[Hood]

Cereal containers. Im not sure if my cheap one is quite that large but they go very big. Also used as pet food bins for the larger ones.

Or if you get a square container, you could use a couple of smaller weighted containers to displace most of the solution.

If the NaHSO⁴ is adequate, this is the big tub I got.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07DH8DMP8/

Might just try that, suppose if it doesn't work then not a great deal lost.


Good idea about the weighted tub, never thought of that. The bins I bought should be fine though.

 

[Maker]

So many things are now on the proscribed list. Mercury is another.

There goes my Little Zenith Telescope idea.


I suppose I'll have to chuck my lead bricks out next.

 

[Kram]

I think a few gallons of mercury would have great vibration dampening. If I could get some I'd make up a sealed tank to go along the lathe bed.

 

[Kram]

After weeks/months I have a suitable part to play with

Using a sheet of alu as my cathode this time. 12v supply boosted to around 19v 1A constant current. I made no effort to calculate the surface area. Ice cream tub for scale.

It is the lid for furnace control box. Should I try the orange again? Cherry red is a safe option, or I have 3 packets of blue clothes dye.