Aluminium amalgam (Al/Hg) summary

ACAB

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It is called concentrated nitric acid, whether it has 60% or 70% does not matter. It just should not have 100%, that is apparently not so reactive, so it is usually diluted to 60-70%. That's what I've been told.
 

G.Patton

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Al powder can explode
 

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Yes, I guess so. But is mercury nitrate enough of an oxidizer to use alu powder as a fuel? I'm very careful with any powdered metals in combination with any sort of oxidizers, coming from the pyrotechnic scene.
 

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I can't say exactly. But I strongly recommend you to use foil by reason that foil is cheap, OTC, safety and was approved by numerous of syntheses.
 

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The following observation: 15 minutes after adding water to the aluminum foil and the mercury salt, I have a dark gray water solution with many small bubbles that form a foam. After I pour off the water, I hear the aluminum crackling and white smoke rising, a lot of white smoke.

Was I too early to drain the water, or too late?
 

Acidosis

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observe that the flow of the bubbles is constant without stops, and observe that the aluminum foil is already well covered with dark gray traces and then you know that your amalgam is ready for further use... keep safe from mercury vapors, always use protection and then everything will be joys.!!.
 

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I think too early
 

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It took more than half an hour for the outgassing to stop. After about 20 minutes the peak was reached, the water had heated up to over 60°C and a lot of gas was released.
 

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Hello;
just a little noob question about the quality of aluminum;
i read a lot about the "Reynolds Wrap® Aluminum Foil, Heavy Duty" , on internet i've found his Thickness are 23.62µm....
Thicknes are important ? in my country i have 11 & 15µ easily but don't find more in "standard shop"
 

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I always look for industrial aluminum foils for thermal insulation, vapor barriers, sauna construction, roofing, etc. This is also usually 99.5% aluminum without coatings and is also much thicker (35-50µm) than the kitchen aluminum rolls. But there probably everyone has his own way of thinking.
 

ASheSChem

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I just discovered aluminum foil for shisha / hookah ...

40µ but I don't know if it's 100% aluminum
SA8EBIWxar
 

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How about doing a wash with HCl on the foil before adding the mercury nitrate? Wouldn't that remove any oxide layers stopping the reaction?
 

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A bit late but for any one reading on this timeline..use an unltra sonic cleaner for this purpose
 

ACAB

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If you don't get information from the vendor, check with the manufacturer to see what alloy is used.
This is not necessary for the reaction with the mercury salt and it would not prevent later oxidation of the foil with atmospheric oxygen.
 

ASheSChem

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I searched for shisha suppliers but I can't find any reliable info. I believe they are alloy mixtures.

but... I found this site, you can choose the size, hardness, etc...

Alloy : EN-AW 1050 A (Al 99,5) i think it's the good one
but it looks expensive to me
 
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99.5% Al is technical aluminum suitable for amalgam.
The thickness of the foil affects the reaction rate. Thick foil reacts slower than thin foil. Usually 15µ cooking foil is used, but thicker technical foil can be used.
 

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OK, thanks lot. I think I'll try kitchen paper first... and if that fails, I'll try the industrial one
 

ACAB

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According to the information I found out, 99.5% Al is the highest quality foil that you can buy, aluminum foils always consist of alloys, 100% Al is not available. With industrial foils, however, you have the advantage of finding an indication of the alloy, which you do not have with normal kitchen aluminum foil.

About the price, I paid for
Industry 1.5kg 29,5cm x 50m, 36µm ca. 32$ resp. for
Industry 3kg 50cm x 50m, 50µm about 63$.
For comparison:
Gastronomy foil 1.2kg 300m x 29cm,13µm about 33$ or
Kitchen foil 128g 30cm X 10m, ??µm about 4$.
So the kilogram price is almost the same.
 
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Technical foil is harder to find than kitchen foil. Those who have difficulty buying it can use thicker kitchen foil. High aluminum content (>99%) and minimal impurities in the composition is the best choice.
Of course 100% foil cann't be, but what does that have to do with it?
 

ACAB

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It was about the quality of the choice of aluminum foil at the beginning, whether the thickness would be decisive, but much more important, I think, is the alloy that is used. And you will not find any specifications in kitchen foil, some have non-stick coatings or other innovations that lower the quality of the foil for our requirements.
Technical aluminum foil is my choice because you can be sure of the quality based on the information given. The thickness of the foil is more a personal reference what you prefer to use.
Of course I can use any foil where aluminum is written on it, but I also dry my solvents to have as little water as possible, then I also pay attention to such little things. :D
 

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Activated aluminum easily releases hydrogen out of the water, I do not see problems in wet solvents for this reaction. The thickness matters to the reaction speed, thick aluminum is more difficult to react, but possible.
 

ASheSChem

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soo, like this one is perfect ?
UbCoF5dJiQ

sorry but i still need to be reassured :)

i have ordered HgNO3 but but the package takes a long time... so I'm planning another plan just in case
 
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