[AT] Still Looking for Phosphoric Acid?
Sheppard, Charles E
sheppard at indiana.edu
Mon Aug 1 18:16:20 PDT 2005
I have a hard time keeping up with the threads sometimes, but, if its not plowing the same furrow, I picked up a book at Lowes over the weekend, "Welder's Handbook" by Richard Finch. I guess I'm hoping to learn to weld by reading a book! Anyway, the author talks about weld preparation and explains that you should use phosphoric acid to clean the weld pieces. He says its available under the name, "OSHPO" (sic). OSPHO has a web site, www.ospho.com. Its also available from www.jamestowndistributors.com/find;a;1;ID;,Engine.Room,Degreasers,Ospho.Metal.Treatment and can be mail ordered. The web site says it contains orthophosphoric acid, sodium dichromate(wow!) and wetting agents. It goes without saying, good ventilation is a must. Out of curiosity, I called Ulrich chemical in Indianapolis and they also sell the pure stuff (industrial grade as the stuff is also used in food). Its available in 4 x 1 gal cartons and various carboy and drum sizes. Its about $20/gal. The Ulrich person I spoke with was not encouraging when I asked about mail order as it is a hazardous chemical subject to DOT regs. and will require a special license to ship. Federal Express will do it; UPS won't. He suggested picking it up at a distributor. Alas, Ulrich is an Indiana firm with branches in KY, IL and OH. Hope this is helpful.
Chuck
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