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Metal finishing Q&As since 1989
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How to remove sodium carbonate from aluminum
We were tumble de-burring some tiny aluminum parts. The process went awry because too much soda ash was used, and for too long. Now the parts have a stubborn crust on them. Is there anything that might take it off? I tried muriatic, non-etch cleaner, nitric acid, ammonia, and C-L-R ⇦[this on
eBay or
Amazon affil links]
.
Regards,
instruments - Coral Springs, Florida
2006
Muriatic (hydrochloric acid) and C-L-R are both no-nos for aluminum.
Best: have an anodizing firm 'slow strip' the parts in hot chromic-phosphoric acid solution.
Alternative: concentrated nitric acid, in an ultrasonic cleaner if available.
- Goleta, California
![contributor of the year](../portraits/ken_vlach_award_thumb.jpg)
Rest in peace, Ken. Thank you for your hard work which the finishing world, and we at finishing.com, continue to benefit from.
2006
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