Sulphuric Acid for anodising

Anodising is an electrolytic process to produce an inert film of oxide, but if you just want to protect the Aluminium, concentrated Nitric acid will produce an oxide film. (It is very potent oxidising agent)

BUT, if the material is an alloy of Aluminium, the other elements may not be oxidised, and just dissolve.

Above all, IF you can get hold of conc Nitric, BE VERY CAREFUL, it is vicious stuff, and the fumes are bad for you.

Howard

Nitric acid is used to de-oxidise aluminium prior to anodising.

Nitric acid is used to remove the black muck after dipping in sodium hydroxide it is not de-oxidising

Well, here in France I can purchase strong acids and various solvents from any DIY shop and even many supermarkets. So I guess it's the British nanny state to blame. Better integration into Europe might be an advantage

Russell.

Russell

Just like the removal of cadmium?

Neil, if you want some inspiration on anodising model engines have a look at this guys 1/3rd scale V10.

Details of his setup here and some photos of the engine to date part way down this page.

The thread is also a fine example of making blocks of metal look like castings and should answer the question as to why people want to do that.

J

PS it's all manual machining no CNC!

Its much more likely that some safety zealot in Brussels will ban the sale of strong acids to private consumers throughout Europe.

Its already happened to cadmium, borax, creosote, to name a few and glyphosphate weedkiller is next on the list.

Mike