Customise your Case with Annodising
Material requirements and safety rules
Published: 13th April 2006 | Source: Overclock3D |
*Sulphuric acid (battery acid is fine)-$2/litre from a battery wholesaler;
*Sodium Hydroxide (Drain cleaner)-$6 from your local supermarket:
*Sheet lead-$7/metre available from most hardware stores:
*12V DC power supply (8A battery charger)-$40 from your local auto stockist;
*Anodising dye- free samples should be available from your local anodiser;
*Assorted nuts, bolts, washers and 30A hook-up wire; and
*some thin Aluminium wire-MIG welding wire is perfect.
Safety rules
* Always connect up to the annodising tank before turning on the power supply, to prevent sparking;
* Safety googles, rubber gloves and long sleeves are a must (we are dealing with acid here people, and splashing is a risk);
* No smoking, naked flames or sparks (Hydrogen is a highly explosive gas given off during the process); and
* Plenty of ventilation.
* It is advisable when working with any form of chemical to obtain M.S.D.S (Material Safety Data Sheets), these should be freely available from the manufacturer, via the net or the reseller. These will help you understand and assess any heath risks that the product/s may have, and provide first aid options if the situation should arise.
Step 1: Preparing the container
Step one is to prepare the container-turning it into an effective cathode. It is important to note that any metal immersed in the acisd should only consist of lead or aluminium. I would suggest using cathodes, to lessen the volume of aluminium sulphate being released into the acid solution. Cut the sheet lead into shape, drill 3/16" holes through the container and lead and bolt them together with the nuts on the outside so they can be used as the power connectors.
Most Recent Comments
Cheers! :D
Caswell :)
Thanks Marcus!!!
I'm looking into it now
Due to health & safety retail outlets cannot supply sulphuric acid in its neat form but can sell a formula for drain cleaning. We have found over the last 5 years that a product called "Oneshot" sold in B&Q, Robert Dyas and other good ironmonger stores is the best formula for our use. It is 91% sulphuric acid and as the colourant and odouriser are both organic, these disappear quickly with use.
To use this product you need measure out 2 litres of deionised water into a plastic container capable of holding 4 or 5 litres and also able to stand reasonable temperature. You would then the 1 litre of Oneshot into the water, NOT the other way round, but do this slowly as it will generate a fair amount of heat. You now have what is termed battery acid. For anodising one part of this acid is poured into two parts of distilled water and you now have an anodising electrolyte.
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I'm getting well tempted for a new case but lack of room restricts me at the moment. Once I get some more room then I'll buy a new case and get some annodising done :)