[TowerTalk] Aluminum radials

[Nick Pair]

Yes I have heard of this. Years ago when I used it I think it was called zinc chromate and was a primer for aluminum. This maybe different to what you refer to, but I have also seen the stuff in aircraft and surplus military radio gear( the jungle proofing was different) on Al panels. I don't think it would survive the direct burial test because somewhere it would be scratched and breakdown at that point. I've never seen a conductor with this type of coating but it maybe in use somewhere. ;-)
   
  Thanks for reminding me of this product. I have some aluminum I was thinking of painting ( bare aluminum dish on tower to stop corrosion in the acidic rain we have here) with spray paint and was wondering if it would stick. I know it will over chromate primer.
   
  73 
  Nick 
  WB7PEK

  ORIGINAL MESSAGE:

On Fri, 14 Jul 2006 00:38:43 -0700 (PDT), you wrote:


>
> Aluminum is a wonderful metal, they just haven't yet figured out how to make it hard and corrosion resistant and still high conductivity.

------------ REPLY SEPARATOR ------------

Actually they have figured it out. The chromate conversion coating
process makes aluminum corrosion proof even in a high temperature salt
spray environment, and the coating is highly conductive. It's widely
used in the aircraft industry but may not be practical for radials.

Bill, W6WRT


 		
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