High current density, acid-free electrolytic descaling process
AssigneeAllegheny Ludlum Steel Corporation
InventorDonald R. Zaremski
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Abstract
A process for removing an oxide scale from the surface of a metallic body is disclosed comprising the steps of providing an electrolyte consisting of an aqueous solution containing about 15 to 25 weight percent sodium sulfate, maintaining the electrolyte at a temperature of at least 150.degree. F., and immersing the metallic body into the electrolyte such that the surface to be descaled is exposed to the electrolyte. During immersion, the metallic body is subjected as the anode to the action of a direct electric current for a period of at least 10 seconds at a current density of at least 3 amperes per square inch.
Claims13
A process for removing an oxide scale from the surface of a metallic body comprising the steps of:
- providing an electrolyte consisting of an aqueous solution containing about 15 to 25 percent, by weight, sodium sulfate,
- maintaining the electrolyte at a temperature of at least about 150.degree. F.,
- immersing the metallic body into the electrolyte such that the surface to be descaled is exposed to the electrolyte,
- subjecting the metallic body as the anode to the action of a direct electric current for a period of at least 10 seconds at a current density of at least 3 amperes per square inch until the metallic body is substantially descaled, and
- removing the metallic body from the electrolyte.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.