No passwords, No popups, No cost, No AI:
we earn from 'affiliate link' purchases, making the site possible

Sound technical content, curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ

finishing.com -- The Home Page of the Finishing Industry

  The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing since 1989

-----

Stainless Steel is oxidizing due to floor tile dust?

After needing to tear out a tile floor for a recent customer, It is being suggested that within a weeks time, after they have cleaned their stainless steel refrigerator, oxidation has occurred due to the dust from the removed flooring, interacting with the stainless steel. Is this possible? Thank you for your informed response.

Sue Paitson
residential contractor - Terre Haute, IN, USA
January 17, 2009

January 17, 2009

Hi, Sue. This is just an opinion, not a professional opinion, but it sounds quite unlikely. However, if muriatic acid ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] was used at any point in the process, it sounds highly likely. Remember, muriatic (hydrochloric) acid is not really a liquid, it is a gas dissolved in water. The wet acid does not need to touch the metal to corrode it, the fumes will do so.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

Very unlikely that tile dust caused the corrosion/rust. Usually when cleaning grout, thinset, and concrete Muriatic Acid (hydrochloric acid or hydrochloric acid containing products) are used which would be the culprit. If your research turns up no HCl was used then find out how the stainless was cleaned. STEEL WOOL will also cause rusting.

Cliff Kusch
electropolishing shop - North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
September 21, 2009

(No "dead threads" here! If this page isn't currently on the Hotline your Q, A, or Comment will restore it)

Q, A, or Comment on THIS thread -or- Start a NEW Thread

Disclaimer: It's not possible to fully diagnose a finishing problem or the hazards of an operation via these pages. All information presented is for general reference and does not represent a professional opinion nor the policy of an author's employer. The internet is largely anonymous & unvetted; some names may be fictitious and some recommendations might be harmful.

If you are seeking a product or service related to metal finishing, please check these Directories: