Cleaning rusty metal

[royblackburn1@btinternet.]

Hi all, I want to clean some rusty metal using the battery charger method but the metal is attached to some brass will this method harm the brass, thanks Roy

[spaceman]

It should be ok because the rusty metal needs to be the -ve charged cathode and the sacrificial metal needs to be the +ve charged anode. Had the polarity been the other way round, the brass probably be dissolved by the electrolysis. However, just to be safe, it would be worth keeping a check on the condition of the brass to make sure nothing is happening to it!

[royblackburn1@btinternet.]

thanks spaceman point taken might make something up and have trial run,Roy

[chaz]

Roy
just remembered this post.
Ive been derusting WW1 shells collected from the Somme battlefields, only have two with driving bands. This shell had been in the ground over 100 years then went in a bucket for derusting with the battery charger method.
probably copper but not sure as copper is softer and might have stuck to the gun barrel so some form of brass more likely.
as can be seen, the brass isnt in bad condition for being under ground and going through the process.
before

[chaz]

after

[Mike Farmer]

 

I've used it on metal that has been previously brazed to no detrimental effect. You should be alright.

Why not try connecting up just a bit of brass.

Mike