Cutting aluminum the Easy way

[progbuddy]

I've just found this out in Honor's Physical Science last Thursday.

Anyone familiar with:

3NaOH + Al --> Al(OH)3 + 3Na


NaOH is Sodium Hydroxide (aka Drano). just put a little dab here and there, and it replaces the aluminum with sodium, which oxidizes about the instant it is formed. This creates a quick and easy solution for cutting anything aluminum. Just be very careful with Drano, as it has a caustic effect on skin (NaOH dissolves fats and oils; used for unclogging drains).

Drano can be bought at most hardware stores in the US, equivalents may be found elsewhere.

My teacher stuck a chunk of aluminum in NaOH, and it dissolved almost instantaneously.

I'm gonna go buy some and try it for myself

[DaveW]

My teacher stuck a chunk of aluminum in NaOH, and it dissolved almost instantaneously.

Keep that crap away from my rig dude. :p

-Dave

[progbuddy]

Keep that crap away from my rig dude. :p

-Dave

LOL.

I might use the stuff in my project if I can get my hands on some. I'll use it to cut out the two sound holes in the front and the fan holes in the sides and top.

[.Maleficus.]

That could give a really cool effect for some toxic-themed mod. Like acid ate away at it. Very cool find dude, +rep.

[rendermandan]

sounds a little dangerous.... I love it!

Just be carefull and do it in a well ventilated area!

[Redundant]

That reminds me of Alien's "blood". It ate away at anything in Alien vs. Predator.

Do you think it will cut straight lines in the aluminum without eating under your straight edge?

EDIT: Does this stuff eat through steel or PVC (water pipes)?

[progbuddy]

That reminds me of Alien's "blood". It ate away at anything in Alien vs. Predator.

Do you think it will cut straight lines in the aluminum without eating under your straight edge?

EDIT: Does this stuff eat through steel or PVC (water pipes)?

It does not eat through steel or PVC. Steel is an alloy, and PVC is a covalently bonded substance.

It will cut straight lines if you know how to use it. It will only work with certain metals though (aluminum).

[Slug Toy]

Just be carefull and do it in a well ventilated area!

not completely necessary, the full reaction goes like this:

Al + 3NaOH ---> Al(OH)3 + 3Na

3Na + 3H2O ---> 3NaOH + 3H2

its going to make hydrogen gas, but at the scale this is being done at... its not really a problem. i do way more dangerous stuff quite regularly in the chem lab. of course... you can solve this issue by putting an open flame near it so the gas burns off steadily instead of filling a room. thats always fun... you might have intermittent bangs happening, kind of like in shop class when the idiots are fiddling with the oxy-acetylene torches.

one thing that might get in the way of this idea is the amount of drano you need. the reaction will only happen so long until the solution is saturated with Al(OH)3, and then you need to wash it off and put some more on. this may take a while.

[Spawn-Inc]

well if i can find some drano i am going to try this! i will post somes pics if it works and i still have fingers...

Edit: dammit no drano... ohwell probably for the best.

[Crimson Sky]

not really cutting aluminum..more like dissolving it. Wear a respirator, chemical gloves and eye protection. One splash of Drano in the eyes, and you'll be listening to forums for the rest of your life. ye be warned.