Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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Strip aluminium from steel dies without caustic solution

Q. Normally dies cleaning (stripping aluminium part inside of it) process is made with 20-30% caustic solution in aluminium extrusion sector. But I am looking for different apart from caustic solution. Dies are made of steel. So these dies must not damaged from that solution. I wonder if is there any acidic solution such as hydrochloric can be strip the aluminium and same time not to damage the steel?

Sincerely...

Alaattin tuna
- TURKEY,sakarya
February 18, 2020

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Q. Dear Ted,
Actually,you are right with your explanation. I should have explained what is the problem with caustic soda [affil links] . I know 20-30% caustic solution does not damage steel surface. When we use caustic soda, dissolved aluminium getting increase as aluminium etching bath in anodizing process. So,when dissolved aluminium rate reaches 30-40 gr/lt in die cleaning bath then cleaning (stripping) process like stops or it takes too much time. In that case, cleaning bath which includes high dissolved aluminium must be dumped and prepare a new cleaning bath with fresh caustic solution. My aim is to get rid of this vicious cycle by using hydrochloric acid instead of caustic solution. So I wonder if pure (37%) or even diluted hydrochloric acid can damage steel surface during stripping aluminium profile parts inside of dies? Or should we use inhibitor with hydrochloric acid to prevent damage to steel surface?

Actually I have intention to try this process but I wonder your opinion and other contributors' opinion before. Also I wonder will we see same negative dissolved aluminium effect in here as caustic soda [affil links] process such as slowing stripping reaction or dump-dilute issues ... (I am not sure but I don t suppose because reactions mechanism different, chemicals different, etc.)

Sincerely

Alaattin tuna [returning]
- TURKEY,sakarya
February 18, 2020