"G.Beat" wrote in message
news:naQrc.24177$zw.4857@attbi_s01...

[...snip...] This patina is conductive.

OOPS! Aluminum oxide, or Alumina, is very non- conductive. It is a
ceramic used for as a base high Q circuits at 150 Mhz and above (stripline
and microstrip). It is also what is grown on the surface of "anodized"
aluminum in the anodization process. It is also why aluminum is so hard to
solder. The oxide forms immediately on contact with air. Aluminum is the
most reactive metal.

--
Steve N, K,9;d, c. i My email has no u's.

On Mon, 24 May 2004 16:47:33 -0500, "Steve Nosko"
wrote:

[snip]

| Aluminum is the most reactive metal.

Really?

Wes Stewart wrote:

wrote:
| Aluminum is the most reactive metal.

Really?

Not really. When I was at Texas A&M, someone wrapped a
large lump of sodium in a towel and flushed it down the
john. It blew the plumbing apart.
--
73, Cecil http://www.qsl.net/w5dxp



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Cecil Moore wrote in message ...
Wes Stewart wrote:

wrote:
| Aluminum is the most reactive metal.

Really?

Not really. When I was at Texas A&M, someone wrapped a
large lump of sodium in a towel and flushed it down the
john. It blew the plumbing apart.

A couple of us Juniors in chem lab did the deed in high school in
1954. Didn't take out any hardware but it took the janitors a week to
clean the ceilings. Fortunately there was nobody "Smokin' In The Boy's
Room" . .

Must have never worked w/ Sodium, NaK (sodium- potassium alloys, usually
liquid phase at room temperature) or Lithium-Aluminum alloys. Never had the
pleasure to work w/ pure Li but I'd guess it is entertaining to say the
least.

Aluminum is quite reactive, fortunately aluminum oxide is quite stable, and
usually forms quickly, quietly and uneventfully.

Scotchbrite pads would be better than steel wool to clean it up.



"Wes Stewart" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 24 May 2004 16:47:33 -0500, "Steve Nosko"
wrote:

[snip]

| Aluminum is the most reactive metal.

Really?

Aluminum is the
most reactive metal.

Damn, I thought Na was.
Boy ya sure learn a lot on these groups.
WG8Z
Greg Z
to thine own sound be true

Maybe this post was the inspiration for the one on rec.radio.misc from a guy
looking for a lump of sodium !

jw
K9RZZ