[Antennas] RE: Cleaning Grungy Aluminum

Mon Jun 19 14:28:35 EDT 2006

Speaking of Google...found this.
http://www.uwm.edu/Dept/EHSRM/LAB/labHF.html
It's a HF safety note from the U of Wisconsin. Well written and easily
understood. Good info to keep in mind. Note the section that states to
make sure your protective equipment is HF rated and also the link to the
Dow Chemicals site (hfacid.com).
The stuff you learn on this reflector...what a great place!
73,
 - Aaron Hsu, NN6O
-----Original Message-----
From: antennas-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:antennas-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of John Kemker
Sent: Saturday, June 17, 2006 9:46 PM
To: DavidE Benedict; Antennas at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Antennas] Cleaning Grungy Aluminum
DavidE Benedict wrote:
> CBoone at earthlink.net writes:
>>> I did get my bottle of HFL acid at a local plumber supply warehouse 
>> (at the time I was working for a public utility and they didn't 
>> require any special paperwork from me)...today with EPA, etc you may 
>> have a harder time getting it as John Q Public...
>>>> Chris
>> WB5ITT
>>>> HF is also used extensively in purifying silicon in semiconductor 
> manufacturing
>> BE VERY CAREFUL WITH THIS ACID
>> Please note that at least high strength HF is extremely dangerous to 
> the human (I don't know about various dilutions).
>> HF (hydroflouric acid) actively and very vigorously seeks metals, and 
> it absorbs through the skin, whereupon it goes to bone (calcium is a 
> "metal") and causes EXTREMELY PAINFUL etching of the bone.
>> BE VERY VERY CAREFUL WITH THIS ACID
>> David B.
> W7DBH
> Mobile-Only ...in NW Oregon
>Thanks for the warning, David. When it was suggested, I went to Google
and searched out the MSDS for HF. What I read made me extremely
respectful of this substance. As someone who is involved in
experimental rocketry and has made his own motors, I'm very careful with
any chemicals I use. While I believe the Acti-Brite solution that
Grainger has available is a low concentration, I will be using
elbow-length gloves, a rubberized apron and rubber boots before mixing
in a plastic container. (It etches GLASS.) A weak solution will be
used and the runoff will be diluted heavily before disposal. (My sister
works for the EPA. Last thing I need is her to send Feds after me!)
--JohnK
73 de W5NNH
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