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Can Zinc Save Aluminum?

 
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SandyToes



Joined: 22 Sep 2013
Posts: 1
Location: Florida

PostPosted: Sun Sep 22, 2013 4:54 am    Post subject: Can Zinc Save Aluminum? Reply with quote

Hello! I'm a new member and first time poster, please forgive any lapses.

My aggressive but fabulous citric acid-based dishwasher detergent has been eating my pots. Specifically, it's eating away the Al sandwich in my clad stainless saucepans.

Remembering back to my college chemistry courses it occurred to me that I might be able to save it by modifying the environment to include another metal. We've got a boat in the very salty Gulf of Mexico and use zinc slugs as anodes to preserve the aluminum outdrives.

Is there any chance this will also work in my dishwasher? The tub is stainless steel, as are the pot exteriors, with just the small amount of exposed aluminum at the rim, plus some of the handle rivets. I've got a ~300g zinc slug I'd like to use. Must the zinc be in contact with the aluminum, as it is on our boat?
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Dilbert



Joined: 19 Oct 2007
Posts: 1304
Location: central PA

PostPosted: Sun Sep 22, 2013 12:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

>>Must the zinc be in contact with the aluminum, as it is on our boat?

yes. the zinc is considered "sacrificial" - it is "more reactive galvanically" than the alum so the zinc is 'attacked' first. if the two metals are not 'connected' they will both be attacked.
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