Artificially make something corrode rapidly?

[Dave20046]

Odd post as us SV owners are usually trying to do the opposite
But do any of the org scientist/clever'ns know a DIY of making an ally (I think) part corrode? Is leaving it in my garden in a tub of salt water going to be the best option?

By "ally" I take it that you mean aluminium?

Bare aluminum will corrode quite readily, but the problem is that the corrosion products will not look like rust on other metals. Corroded aluminum is not brown like rust on tool steel but white and random and look abit like white salt stains. Is that the look you are after?

[Dave20046]

I'm after an aged/ratty sorta look. Yep, I'm guessing it's aluminium possibly, steel though.

Running a current across it in a bath of salt water I guess would accelerate.

[Dave20046]

Originally Posted by MiniMatt

Running a current across it in a bath of salt water I guess would accelerate.

Thanks for that minimatt, although I guess I should've put more info. It's not hugely important, I think rigging it up to anything like that is going a bit far. To be honest I was hoping someone would know of a magical household chemical/solution that I could leave it in or just the best thing I could leave it in for a couple of weeks.

try some weak acidic solution or some weak caustic soda solution.

could also have a go with hydrogen peroxide solution...

try coke might do the trick. definitely works on teeth

[Dave20046]

Originally Posted by Alpinestarhero

try some weak acidic solution or some weak caustic soda solution.

could also have a go with hydrogen peroxide solution...

what's the most suitably acidic thing I might have round the house?
vinegar?

OK, Oxidising and reducing agents.

Oxidising things makes them rust. Reducing them makes them "Un-rust" (Cillit bang penny, also works with the phosphoric acid in coke.)

Unfortunately, redusing agents corrode things quickly and may corrode through the Oxide layer they produce and into the actual metal. You need a good oxidiser but a poor corrosive.

Potassium permanganate is a strong oxidising agent that doesn't corrode but it may (probably will) stain your parts purple!

So instead of using stronger oxidising agents, increase the rate of reaction with temperature. (twice the rate of reaction for every 10 deg C rise in temp).

Or, without the ******** above, Boil it in salt water or casutic soda solution (be careful)

Thing with aluminium is Aluminium oxide is very stable (aluminium without the oxide is very reactive but the oxide forms instantaniously on contact with air). Once the oxide is formed it is stable and only creates a thin layer. You are looking for a thicker layer so you may have to leave it in there for a while.


C

Originally Posted by Berlin

Or, without the ******** above, Boil it in salt water or casutic soda solution (be careful)

For the lazy readers.