I doubt Alodine would be very effective for buried radials and it is a lot
of work.
The Aluminum is etched with Phosphoric Acid, thoroughly washed and then
given repeated treatments
http://www.rci-products.com/ALODINE.html
of Chromic Acid each of which is followed by thorough washing. This
produces the Gold color which is relatively fragile. A good rubbing with a
dry paper towel will remove it. OTOH if handled carefully the majority of
the wire would remain coated. In a cold climate like here in Michigan the
freeze and thaw cycle would eventually remove the coating by the abrasive
movement of the soil. How long that would take I have no idea.
A gallon of etch and Chromic Acid will run some where in the neighborhood of
$20 as I recall. However you can purchase the chemicals and mix your own
for far less per gallon. OTOH that's not cheap either.
http://www.eaa1000.av.org/technicl/corrosion/alodine.htm contains the step
by step process.
> ORIGINAL MESSAGE:
>
> On Thu, 16 Nov 2006 12:55:10 -0600, "k6xyz" <k6xyz@sbcglobal.net>
> wrote:
>
>>Any problem with using aluminum wire for a radial system??
>
> ------------ REPLY FOLLOWS ------------
>
> I'd suggest you chromate it first using Alodine or the equivalent. I
> have no experience with chromated aluminum buried in the earth, but
> above ground it becomes highly corrosion resistant, even to
> concentrated salt spray. I'd think it would do very well underground
> too.
The difference between bare aluminum and Alodine coated Aluminum exposed to
salt spray is 150 to 200 hours for the Alodine coating and a few hours for
the bare.
Roger Halstead (K8RI and ARRL 40 year Life Member)
N833R - World's oldest Debonair CD-2
www.rogerhalstead.com (Use return address from home page)
>
> Bill, W6WRT
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