Overdue update!

[Tony Smith]

No Facebook for me, sorry. Don't worry, you're doing a good job of the descriptions, thanks for sharing.

As for posting pictures, wouldn't stress too much as you'll eventually get the idea. It probably is the image file size or image width, as most people take pics on their phones these days which have massive pixel sizes and storage. If you can't use an editing program to resize the pics, see if you change the settings on your phone to reduce the image size.

http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...9&postcount=10

[Ron Pier]

I guess Craig won't mind me posting some pictures. Ron

[Craig W]

Nice one Ron. Please upload any additional pics that you feel may be of interest. The crankshaft is in the tank today! I'll forward the pictures to you tomorrow. Expecting a good result. By the way, hope your Van is behaving itself?

[Tony Smith]

Going back a few years now, but this was a previous thread on various chemical and electro means of cleaning parts:

http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/showthread.php?t=147

[Ron Pier]

Craig's crank clean up. Ron

[Andrew Rowe]

Just got a small question out there. Trying to read up on this process which looks quite spectacular for these engine cleaning results. Does Hydrogen embrittlement ever needs to be considered using this process? Or is it that the items are never in the "Bath" that long to cause any degree of this micro atom action? Are there Chemical experts still out there?, Cheers Andrew.

[Craig W]

Hi Andrew. To my knowledge I've never previously heard of such problems associated with this type of component cleaning. Hydrogen production does occur as a result of the electrolysis process but on this scale I don't believe it's significant. As you also pointed out, cleaning cycles generally don't exceed 20hrs. Certain materials don't react favourably with electrolysis! Aluminium for example.
Regards the items I've cleaned so far, I'm delighted with the results.
However, I must point out I'm not a chemical engineer, so I'd certainly be interested to learn if there's any potential downsides? Every day's a school day!

[Niels V]

Hydrogen embrittlement is definitely some thing to be considered, when using electrolysis, as it can cause rapid crack formation and failure of a component.
That being said, it is predominantly the case for high strength steels, low grades are not so susceptible to embrittlement.
I would not use electrolysis for something like the U bolts that holds an axel to the springs, leaf springs or tow hook etc.
The effects of hydrogen embrittlement can be mitigated by heat treating the steel after the electrolysis to drive the hydrogen out.