Hello: I have a question regarding sodium bisulfate, I wonder whether
you can help out. Do you know whether it can be added into a steel
pin magnetic barreller to help remove firescale?
With the 18K alloy we use, we find a hard casting surface which must
be removed before fine sandpapering is effective - and I’m looking
for the best way to accomplish this.
There are solutions available for this purpose such as “super
sunsheen descaler” from Rio Grande, but they’re not for export (are
hazardous materials). I need to remove the firescale without removing
any gold. Pickling alone is insufficient. Thank you.
Sodium bisulphate (NaHSO3)is used for all sorts of processes
including ceasing fermentation in cheap wine, but I’ve never heard of
it for use in metalsmithing.
I’d urge care. It decomposes very rapidly into sulfur dioxide gas
(SO2) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH.)
Most people are highly affected (this is NOT an allergy) by the gas
which dissolves in the mucus of the lungs to form Sulphurous
acid(H2SO3.)
Steve, I have used pickle solution with success in the past. I now
use a product that goes by the brand name CLR' used to removecalcium, lime, rust’, hence the name. It keeps my pins in tip-top
shape leaving my tumbled pieces shiny. Try it. You’ll like it. Best,
Doug.
Steve, though I don’t understand the exact nature of your problem
with the firescale on your gold, let me suggest that you could try
the following.
Make up a solution of the sodium bisulfate, add some hydrogen
peroxide (H202 – should be available in a drug store [or at the
chemist’s, if you’re a Brit]), heat GENTLY, add the gold piece. You
may eventually begin to see tiny bubbles rising from the piece,
showing that the firescale is being chemically removed. If not, add
a little more of the sodium bisulfate and/or hydrogen peroxide.
This is a slower process than trying dilute (50:50) nitric acid, my
personal favorite for firescale. But the ingredients are a lot
easier to come by. HTH (Hope This Helps).
It was my understanding from past posts that sodium bisufate is the
same stuff used in sparex, which is the pickle solution I use. It has
been stated on here before that it is also the same stuff used in
swimming pool maintenance. Is this true or no? I recently bought the
swimming pool version, but haven’t used it yet. Let me know. Sarah Philbeck
Sodium bisulphate (NaHSO3)is used for all sorts of processes
including ceasing fermentation in cheap wine, but I've never heard
of it for use in metalsmithing. I'd urge care. It decomposes very
rapidly into sulfur dioxide gas (SO2) and sodium hydroxide
(NaOH.)
I’ve used sodium bisulphate as a pickle for several years. I use it
warm in a crock pot. I use pH Minus which is sold for controlling
the pH in swimming pools. It’s less expensive (cost about $1/lb) &
does a very effective job as a pickle. In Arizona it’s available in
grocery, drug & pool supply stores.
Although I’m sure it decomposes, I’ve not experienced what I would
call ‘rapid decomposition’ & I’ve never noticed an sulufur dioxide
aroma in the shop.
Sodium bisulphate (NaHSO3)is used for all sorts of processes
including ceasing fermentation in cheap wine, but I've never heard
of it for use in metalsmithing. I'd urge care. It decomposes very
rapidly into sulfur dioxide gas (SO2) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH.)
G’day and pardon me for jumping in here, but sodium bisulphATE is
NaHSO4 and is used as jeweller’s pickle and a pH adjuster for pools.
It does NOT give off sulphurous fumes very easily.
I know you really meant sodium bisulphITE! – Cheers for now,
I use HCI (muratic acid) in my electroplating hobby for a number of
things, as a pickle, de-plating, metal activation, and as a chloride
in some of my copper plating process. Sulfuric acid also. You can get
sulfuric at a parts store as battery acid, but it is already diluted
2/3rds Distilled water and 1/3rd sulfuric. I use it as a pickle,
metal activation, de-plating, and in copper and chrome bath solutions
for current throwing power, etc. Clint D
Dr Sir At the begging l would like to informed you about my self, my
name is Raiya AL-Esry. I am working in the Ministry of Commerce and
Industry as chemist. I have Question about sodium bisulphate . What
is the proups of it how we can uesd in our lab. Think you for your
time. Ms.Raiya AL-Esry Head Of Precious metal testing Lab. Ministry of
Commerce & Industry Sultanate of Oman