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At 06:21 PM 3/12/97 -0800, Bob Favorite wrote: > As far as steel vs. Al for O2 the increased O2 content can cause >rusting and the rusting uses up the O2 resulting in decreased pO2. Al >will stop rusting once a surface layer of oxidation has formed but this is >not true for steel it will continue to rust until all the metal present is >oxidized. It is incontravertible that there exists the potential for 'rusting' if steel tanks R used in O2 service. However rusting (oxidation) requires moisture & if tank & gas are perfectly dry, the rx does not proceed @ an appreciable rate. When pure O2 is in contact with iron & moisture is present, say in a steel tank, rusting will diminish the total amount of O2. If moisture is present a steel tank will rust, albeit at a slower rate, even if filled with air. Aluminum does not 'oxidize', that is, combine w/ O2 under the conditions that an Al can be exposed to w/o its destruction. It corrodes by forming chlorides of Al. Thus it is impervious to O2, making it a better choice for O2 service. The 'white' AlClx that is occassionally seen in Al tanks indicates that Cl (chlorinated pool water, salt (NaCl) water) entered the tank. Regards Esat -- Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@aquanaut.com'. Send list subscription requests to `techdiver-request@aquanaut.com'.
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