Polish & Etch Aluminum Tig Welds? Stainless Steel?

[robert-r]

Am wanting to check the penetration of my aluminum and stainless steel tig welds.
Wondering if Loctite rust remover will etch these materials? If not, what works?
Tig newby, here.

[ronsii]

I haven't done it myself but remember reading that the acid for etching PC boards works good it's mostly ferric chloride and hci.. I think... also draino drain cleaner works good

[motolife313]

Jody from welding tips and tricks taught me “oven cleaner“

[OPUS FERRO]

robert-r

Am wanting to check the penetration of my aluminum
and stainless steel tig welds.

Why . . . ?


Opus



.

[Munkul]

You need alkali - caustic soda - for aluminium.

I tried some toilet cleaner but it didn't work. I think there was too much hypochlorite in it and not enough hydroxide.

Acid for steel.

Not sure what to etch stainless with - I used stainless passivating solution for regular steel, plus some heat. Presumably you need something a fair bit stronger for stainless.

[albrightree]

Naval Jelly rust remover ? If its the phosphoric acid stuff , it should work on steel, and stainless steel.

Like Moto mentioned above, Jodie @ weldingtipsandtricks.com has a really good video on this

Search "Macro etching welds with household products" Its one of the more popular videos, shouldn't be hard to find.

HTH

[Oscar]

If you can find 100% lye (sodium hydroxide) in the plumbing section of hardware stores, that could carefully be used to create a caustic solution for aluminum. I hear that stuff eats flesh.

[motolife313]

robert-r



Why . . . ?


Opus



.

Same reason a bend tester tests welds coupons
Pretty easy to braze aluminum when inexperienced so he will learn to turn the amps up. That’s 3/8 aluminum coupon

[ronsii]

Same reason a bend tester tests welds coupons
Pretty easy to braze aluminum when inexperienced so he will learn to turn the amps up. That’s 3/8 aluminum coupon

Nice moto!!!!! as always your pics show the story

[robert-r]

Hey all, thanks for the suggestions. Will def check them out.

[Capt B]

Aluma Prep 33 also works for aluminum