[VAC] Re: Acid washing

[Webmaster <webmaster@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Pure aluminum doesn't corrode (the gray oxidation film is not same).  Pure
aluminum is also soft as a baby's butt.  Other elements are blended in to
aluminum to give it strength (alloying).  These alloys are susceptible to
bad corrosion when exposed to the elements, therefore a thin layer (aluminum
cladding) is applied to the alloy sheet to protect the under layer from
exposure and subsequent intergranular corrosion.

Supposedly the alloying process got so refined that the alloy sheets were
not as susceptible to corrosion, and the practice (from the 1930's) was
stopped.

RJ
VintageAirstream.com