If sodium hydroxide reacts to a lesser degree with cast iron -- less damage is
always better!
I don't recall (too many years ago) what prompted me to use muriatic acid
(hydrochloric) to remove aluminum piston smears from a cast iron jug on an air
cooled motorcycle engine that had suffered a seizure. I knew that aluminum
reacts vigorously with hydrochloric acid and have read that iron oxide is
removed commercially with hydrochloric acid. Perhaps the expected limited
dwell time (the aluminum layer was not very thick) led me not to be concerned
about damage to the cast iron cylinder. The aluminum fizzed and dissolved
very quickly with no visible sign of reaction with bare cast iron. There
might be some concern about acid remaining embedded in the iron grain
structure, causing future oxidation, but perhaps there is not much to worry
about if the engine is going to be bored -- and the acid will remove rust from
the cylinder.
Duncan
(Texas)
1952 Morgan Plus 4 #6 red
On Jun 28, 2011, at 2:24 PM, Robert Johns wrote:
> Duncan has suggested using Muriatic Acid to free the pistons. Most all
acids
> will eat into the iron of the block. I suggest to use Sodium Hydroxide (
Lye)
> instead. It will not eat into the iron and will dissolve the aluminum. I
> have salvaged many two cycle cylinders and small engine cranks with
aluminum
> con rods, that had the aluminum welded to the steel or plated surface,
> usually due to insufficient oil. The aluminum comes off clean and all you
> need to do is to smooth up the cylinder surface or crank pin. The warmer
the
> affected surfaces, the faster the chemical reaction. Make sure us use good
> rubber gloves and a chemical mask.
> Bob Johns
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