Oxidation in AL tank

Jeff Pack · Post by **Jeff Pack** » Fri Mar 09, 2012 9:28 pm

I have little 6cf bottle to be used only for pressurizing my reg for dunking.

Any issues or concerns. Not a heavy oxidation, but more than I'd want for a breathing air tank.

CaptnJack · Post by **CaptnJack** » Fri Mar 09, 2012 10:25 pm

Jeff Pack wrote:I have little 6cf bottle to be used only for pressurizing my reg for dunking.

Any issues or concerns. Not a heavy oxidation, but more than I'd want for a breathing air tank.

Inside or out? You need to remove the oxidation to ensure there's no pitting exceeding allowable depths or area. Whomever is VIPing this tank can help you more. Tumbling with aluminum oxide chips is typical.

Jeff Pack · Post by **Jeff Pack** » Fri Mar 09, 2012 11:06 pm

Inside.

BDub · Post by **BDub** » Sat Mar 10, 2012 8:08 am

Jeff Pack wrote:Inside.

White? If so, aluminum oxide, and a simple tumbling should take care of it to expose any pitting.

Jeff Pack · Post by **Jeff Pack** » Sat Mar 10, 2012 10:03 am

So the point of removing oxidation is not for air quality, but to expose quality of metal?

Linedog · Post by **Linedog** » Sat Mar 10, 2012 11:42 am

I would get it checked/cleaned, last thing you want is a piece of crap finding its way into your reg. I also us a small 19 for rinsing and soaking my regs.

CaptnJack · Post by **CaptnJack** » Sun Mar 11, 2012 6:52 pm

Jeff Pack wrote:So the point of removing oxidation is not for air quality, but to expose quality of metal?

Both - the crap can clog up your inlet filter, or hide pitting which can be significant enough to condemn the tank. How are you getting it filled? At your shop or via transfilling?

Jeff Pack · Post by **Jeff Pack** » Sun Mar 11, 2012 7:34 pm

my house, my compressor. there no pitting, just for a new tank left with no air and mostly open, it had surface oxidation I wasnt expecting...

DFessler · Post by **DFessler** » Mon Mar 19, 2012 2:12 pm

Jeff,

Congrats on your compressor purchase. Since you have the means to buy your compressor I strongly recommend getting PSI certified. You can get more info here.www.psicylinders.com/.

To many people truly don't know whats involved in cylinder inspection, and this class will answer all those tank questions that you have now or may have in the future.

Jeff Pack · Post by **Jeff Pack** » Mon Mar 19, 2012 2:22 pm

Probably a good thing to consider

Jeff Pack · Post by **Jeff Pack** » Mon Mar 19, 2012 2:24 pm

CaptnJack wrote:
Jeff Pack wrote:So the point of removing oxidation is not for air quality, but to expose quality of metal?
Both - the crap can clog up your inlet filter, or hide pitting which can be significant enough to condemn the tank. How are you getting it filled? At your shop or via transfilling?

Josh@tacoma scuba checked it out saturday and said was fine

kitsapdiver · Post by **kitsapdiver** » Tue Mar 20, 2012 10:02 pm

Josh is someone I trust a lot when it comes to gear maintenance. No doubt he is good at what he does so I would trust him. But must admit I am a lil confused. Did he give an explanation as to why you may have thought there was oxidation?

Jeff Pack · Post by **Jeff Pack** » Wed Mar 21, 2012 6:06 am

Well, not being a tank guy, my other tanks are pretty shiny inside, so this one had some surface oxidation, pretty much same an any aluminum you leave exposed to air. I didnt know if for breathing gear, that was still acceptable. Apparently thats ok, or at least this one was, since it was a new tank anyways. Just not shiny clean inside.

Northwest Dive Club