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Hydrogen gas produced when machining al.

Hydrogen gas produced when machining al.

Hydrogen gas produced when machining al.

(OP)
I was told recently that machining aluminium produced Hydrogen gas, as the material oxidises. I was told this by a salesman, so i am not sure of the truth in it... If anyone could enlighten me?

RE: Hydrogen gas produced when machining al.

True, with aqueous cutting fluid.
And if chemically machining the Al with hot caustic (NaOH solution), the aluminum oxide dissolves as fast as it forms, allowing continuos exposure of bare Al to H2O, thereby producing a steady stream of H2 which can ignite under certain conditions, as when using a foam blanket to cut down on noxious mist.

RE: Hydrogen gas produced when machining al.

(OP)
Thanks Kenvlach, The machine is a high speed machining centre that uses ethanol as a cutting lubricant, I just wonder if the Hydrogen gas is as big a threat as the ethonol?

RE: Hydrogen gas produced when machining al.

Al can thermodynamically take O away from CH3CH2OH.  Might strip off the entire hydroxyl (-OH), leaving an ethane radical. Two radicals could combine, producing butane CH3CH2CH2CH3.
But, a more likely reaction mechanism: the OH end of the ethanol adsorbs onto the Al and then dissociates, with the O sticking to the Al and the H replacing the OH on the former ethanol molecule, producing ethane gas C2H6 rather than H2.
But, not very much in either case; maybe only forming a monolayer or two per cutting pass.

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