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Aquasafe Vs Citric Acid

PostPosted: Fri Mar 15, 2019 8:07 pm
by RC Al
So i wasnt 100% on where to post this, or if anyone has posted about this before, but it is a safety issue so...

In the process of building my pot still with Aquasafe soft solder, I have discovered that its not a fan of citric acid.
I had been doing a piece dropping it in my mix and getting back to it anywhere up to a week later, often to discover a leak :roll:

Now it may be the fact that my citric came from a chemicals shop (yes it is food grade) and not the supermarket, or I may have been using too much, dunno
With a quick google, Tin, the primary component of Aquasafe, is not at all resistant to citric acid

So ill let the pics do the rest of the talking, but i suggest those who have it in their stills to find an alternative for regular cleaning

Re: Aquasafe Vs Citric Acid

PostPosted: Fri Mar 15, 2019 9:26 pm
by db1979
Yes, tin will react with citric acid, whereas copper will not (except for the copper oxide or carbonate coating that forms on its surface). Just don't leave a component soldered with soft solder, such as an RC, in a citric bath for a long period of time. Same with vinegar. I should imagine that it would take a long time to develop leaks, unless there were already thin spots of solder.

Re: Aquasafe Vs Citric Acid

PostPosted: Sat Dec 28, 2019 9:44 am
by OzDistilling
Why are you using CA? Descaling?

Re: Aquasafe Vs Citric Acid

PostPosted: Sat Dec 28, 2019 10:03 am
by RC Al
To clean the copper of flux n black crap

Re: Aquasafe Vs Citric Acid

PostPosted: Tue Dec 31, 2019 8:24 am
by coffe addict
:text-+1: with dB. I and many others have used it successfully and is fabulous for cleaning copper. With part that are already soldered don't soak but instead use gloves and a scourer. Move labour intensive but saves your hardwork from being undone.

Re: Aquasafe Vs Citric Acid

PostPosted: Fri Nov 27, 2020 8:24 pm
by OzDistilling
Citric Acid is a poor choice for Tin/Copper soldering.

A good Zinc Chloride based flux is best. If properly acid then passivated washed after soldering, its totally food safe.