Well, of course it oxidizes, but it doesn't rust. "rust" refers
specifically to the oxidation of iron. Anodized aluminum is an
excellent material in certain applications. When I had to buy new
wheels for my 10 speed, a few years ago, I had a choice between
aluminum and steel. Aluminum cost more, the bike shop guy told me
that the advantages are: lighter, brakes faster in the rain. I asked
if there were any advantages to the steel (thinking of durability)-
no.
On the other hand... I can't imagine anyone building an electrical
enclosure out of aluminum! My dad is an electrical engineer, and I
know hes never done anything like that.
Flip
---- Begin Original Message ----
From: Patrick Delgado <dadoctah@vitelcom.net>
Sent: Sat, 11 Mar 2000 22:44:48 -0400
To: dakota-truck@buffnet.net
Subject: Re: DML: Metal Questions/Availability
I have an electrical supply store and you'd be suprised how many
people come in
asking for aluminum electrical enclosures because they "don't rust".
All my
enclosures are steel and all my lugs and connectors are copper or
tinned copper.
Aluminum is one of the poorest materials to make anything that you
expect to
last a while. When it oxidizes, it just turnes to powder. It CAN be
treated(anodized) to be fairly durable, but it starts out as powder
and it
eventually ends up as powder .
Dr. Pat
Ohm347@aol.com wrote:
> In a message dated 03/10/2000 9:39:25 PM Pacific Standard Time,
> fdedip@whale-mail.com writes:
>
> << No.
> Flip >>
> i've seen aluminum grow a white coating over it in patches. it was
some sort
> of oxidization which is what rust is(joining of oxygen to metal
i've been
> told). may have just been the quality of the aluminum. when i am
working
> with aluminum conductors (i'm an industrial electrician) we coat
the exposed
> aluminum with a product called noalox. it stops the production of
the
> aforementioned white coating which has a high resistance and can
cause
> aluminum electrical connections to catch fire.
> hope this helps.
> derek
---- End Original Message ----
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