galvanized metal?

[Aidan Cambel]

I have various levels of experience with various metals, mostly cold rolled mild in 16ga to 18ga. The only thing I know about galvanized is that if you heat it (weld, torch, etc) then to do so outside and wear a mask and don't breathe the zinc oxide fumes.

I have access to a good bit of galvanized, 16, 18, and 20ga.

I AM NOT INTENDING TO MAKE ARMOUR FOR COMBAT.

I am thinking of making some decorative armour pieces for house display and what not.

Is there a SAFE way to remove the galvanation from the metal?

[Marshal]

Yes. You can burn it off, so long as it's outside and away from people. Or you can take it off chemically---there are various agents that will do it, such as vinegar, muriatic acid or hydrogen peroxide---mild acids, in other words. I suppose you could also abrade the coating away by sanding as well, though it seems a lot of work. The chemical method is probably best unless you have a very large open area in which to work, like a field or something.

See

http://forums.armourarchive.org/phpBB2/ ... galvinized

[Aidan Cambel]

kewl, thanks.

I was wondering about the vinegar. I use it to remove mill scale from cold rolled mild, didn't know about the zinc on galvanized. I understand that the zinc is a chemical bonding process and goes through the metal not just on the outside, or at least thats what I am reading. Since I am experimenting with decorative armour pieces, I don't care about that. I just want the outside to look right and not look like, well, galvanized. hehe

I have gained access to large amounts of scrap steel and aluminum. The stainless I have access to is limited, but I have a lot of 2" x 4" pieces to work from. Its too thin for armour I believe, but I have to mic it to be sure.

The galvanized I have access to is all thicknesses, and shapes.

The aluminum is limited to pretty much 2 diamater discs, put is PLENTY thick enough for armour. I am going to experiment with those to see if I can get a decent shape cut out for lamellar. we'll see.