[Gasification] OT: acids in metalworking - was: Re: vehicle conversion at weekend gasification workshop in bay area, california

[Daniel Chisholm]

On Tue, 2007-27-03 at 21:54 -0800, jim mason wrote:

[...HCl a.k.a. "Muriatic acid" useful for stripping zinc...]

> should we now wander further off topic and discuss a coca cola filled
> electrolytic vat to remove rust from rusty parts . . . ?  ;-)

Phosphoric acid is used in cola to give it tartness/acidity.  It's a
useful good food-grade acid, it can also be used to adjust the pH of
water for the brewing of beer.

Cola is a pretty expensive way to buy phosphoric acid for shop use ;-),
however it is a handy field expedient to have in your bag of tricks.  I
know that you can also buy phosphoric acid at aircraft supply houses, it
is used to etch aluminum prior to priming/painting.  And presumably any
decent industrial chemicals place should have it too.



-- 
- Daniel
Fredericton, NB  Canada