[Antennas] Cleaning aluminum

Mon, 9 Feb 2004 18:05:24 -0800

Al2O3, not Al2SO3!  Not synthetic, either, since it is formed by a
natural reaction.  Also known as corundum.  It is the second-hardest
natural substance, after diamond.    Sapphire is the blue form of the
crystalline state, while ruby is the red form (IIRC, the colors are
caused by minute quantities of impurities).

Bob, N7XY

On Mon, Feb 09, 2004 at 06:02:57PM -0500, [email protected] wrote:
> 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, [email protected] 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
> - - - 
> 
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-- 
Bob Nielsen, N7XY                          n7xy (at) n7xy.net
Bainbridge Island, WA                      http://www.n7xy.net