John paul III
Hazard to Others
Posts: 110
Registered: 28-4-2018
Member Is Offline
Mood: No Mood
|
|
how to chemically waterproof sodium silicate coating
I plan on making a machine out of cast aluminium, and some moving parts i want to coat with a solution of sodium silicate (Na2O:3SiO2). After drying
without boiling, it should make a layer of true glass, and solve the abrasion problem of bare aluminium.
But since in theory the coating could be redissolved by moisture,
Is there a way to treat the surface so it becomes insoluble? For example, if i put it in molten calcium nitrate, would the surface become insoluble
soda lime glass?
|
|
Boffis
International Hazard
Posts: 1879
Registered: 1-5-2011
Member Is Offline
Mood: No Mood
|
|
Sodium silicate solution is very alkaline and attacks aluminium. You will not get a glassy layer at room temperature but you will get an amorphous
layer sodium aluminium silicate. If subjected to steam or atleast moderately elevated temperatures in the presence of water you may get a clay or
zeolite like coating but I doubt it will be particularly abrasion resistant.
|
|
rockyit98
Hazard to Others
Posts: 283
Registered: 12-4-2019
Location: The Known Universe
Member Is Offline
Mood: no mood is a good mood
|
|
anodize Al first. maybe try one of that ceramic coating paint.
"A mind is a terrible thing to lose"-Meisner
|
|
Fulmen
International Hazard
Posts: 1726
Registered: 24-9-2005
Member Is Offline
Mood: Bored
|
|
I agree. Your focus should be on anodizing. It's really not hard: A "dumb" 12V charger and 10-15% sulfuric acid. Make sure to keep the bath cool. Cook
for 30 minutes and Bob's your uncle.
We're not banging rocks together here. We know how to put a man back together.
|
|