What Causes "White Death"?

[stonemint]

By white death, I mean the oxidation/corrosion of bullion aluminum insignia. Does anyone know what causes it, and what can be done to prevent it? If it starts, is it going to progress?

Looking to hear from you chemists out there....

[Bob Lyons]

The dreaded white death, I don't think there is much anyone can do to stop it, once it is in the aluminium thread, one theory I did hear is that some Vaseline lightly coated over the affected area will stop it spreading, but I have never tried that option. (too chicken to try it).

Just one suggestion,


Bob

[Ian Hulley]

As I understand it it's the reaction between the aluminium in the bullion and the oxygen in the air ... aluminium oxide. The only way to prevent it is to stop the bullion coming into contact with air presumably there's a coating which once breached allows the reaction to take place.

Something us old VW flat four owners are all too used to on our engine casings.

Ian.

[keifer kahn]

Its the same thing that causes Zinkpest on zink and rust on steel.

Its not the air itself but the moisture level in the air.

You need a 50% humidity level environment.

Buy a hygrometer(measures humidity in the air) and a De-humidifier to control the humidity.

Upwards of 65% humidity and you are looking at corrosion problems,30% and below and you will have leather drying out.

[BPA-Paul]

I would agree with levels of humidty having some kind of impact to corrosion levels on bullion wreaths.

[jacquesf]

Chris, I was advised to use a certian type of gunoil to remove it. I could not find that , but used a different brand, it worked perfectly and has not returned. Jacques

[John Hodgin]

Yep, you said it. Oxidation. Bob or Jacques technique will work, something to seal the metal from air and moisture. Zinc badges suffer from the same ailment. Sprayed one of my zinc Ground Assault Badges with a clear artist fixative to stop further corrosion 20 years ago and it looks as it did the day I coated it. With bullion is it a bit more tricky and personally would not want oil near any fabric, especially on a fine hat or tunic.

[stonemint]

Thanks, Guys--I wasn't clear if it was the air or moisture or both. Out here we have bad air, but little moisture, and I personally have not had a hat ever succumb to the "white Death" but these are good ideas and insight.

[JasonA]

Just so I'm clear, the state of oxidation any bullion is in shouldn't get any worse in a low humidity environment?

I'm in a relatively dry area. My main concern is that any bullion oxidation that I do have won't get any worse, as long as I keep the pieces in a climate-controlled place with humidity levels of <50%.

What I don't want is to get a visor with some bullion oxidation, only to get worse over time even when properly stored. If that's the case, I'd rather pass on the visor and wait for one without any oxidation.

J-

[echoe]

oxy

I would contact the Royal School of Needlework in the U.K.

http://www.royal-needlework.org.uk/

tc

[echoe]

oxy2

or even better - textile conservation at v & a museum:

http://www.vam.ac.uk/page/c/conservation-of-textiles/



tc

[turbopanzer]

The dreaded white death, I don't think there is much anyone can do to stop it, once it is in the aluminium thread, one theory I did hear is that some Vaseline lightly coated over the affected area will stop it spreading, but I have never tried that option. (too chicken to try it).

Just one suggestion,


Bob

Hi Bob

I put my Panzer A bronze half hollowed with a lot of pest in a lot of vasseline in 24 h and after that that everythink of the metall pest has stopped to go further, i still have the badge 5 +.

I get the tip heare on waf and very happy for the help this community do all the time

But have to admit i never gone put a lot of vaseline on my hats . My preseess lol.

Best
Turbo

[Rich Moran]

VpCI 238

Take a look here:

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=429887

You'll have to get past some of the technical stuff and an objection that proved to be sensless and a waste of space but the results are over a 2 year 4 month period.