Wednesday, January 26, 2005

Mercury Poisoning

For aircraft aluminum? Aluminum forms a nice oxide layer that keeps it from "rusting" in the air like iron does. Unless you smear mercury on it. Then it's oxide layer is disrupted and the mercury will catalize the oxidation reaction to the point that a few hours will destroy a whole lot of aluminum. This is why bringing mercury on an aircraft (even in a thermometer) is strictly forbidden.

I wish I had some mercury so I could try this on a pot I have at home.

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