[Antennas] Cleaning aluminum

[FreitasRJ@aol.com]

While the thickness is very small so 'additional strength' is doubtful, aluminum oxide (Al2SO3) is really synthetic sapphire.  Yes, it's pretty durable stuff!  Leave it on if you can.

Rich, KF6SZA

In a message dated 2/8/2004 11:06:42 PM Eastern Standard Time, CBoone@Earthlink.Net writes:

> Chris
> you made a good point about cleaning the oxide off; it is better to 
> leave the oxide on where it does not need to come off because of the 
> protection....only the connections need to be cleaned and then wx 
> proofed! (I got carried away with my DB420 because I wanted it to look 
> new....and it still does...in the evening sun, looking from the west 
> toward the tower, it sure shines! but at 180 ft high, WHO else is 
> looking at it besides me???!! ;)
> 
> Chris
> WB5ITT
> 
> Chris BONDE wrote:
> 
> > Find out how to check the archives.  There is a whole section on cleaning 
> > aluminium.
> > 
> > I think the summary would be, only clean the joints or electrical contacts, use the 
> > special contact compound.  Cleaning the oxide off the al reduces the wall thickness, 
> > may reduce the strength and causes more oxidation.  The oxides of aluminum form 
> > a skin that protects the al and may even give it more strength.
> > 
> > Check the archives as I am not that versed as I have no 
> Al that I want cleaned.  The 
> > dark stuff is harder to see than the shinny stuff.
> > 
> > Chris opr VE7HCB