Kerosene to degrease brass?

[243winxb]

https://bioenergykdf.net/system/file...lants_Kass.pdf Have fun reading. Intermediate Ethanol Blends
Infrastructure Materials Compatibility
Study: Elastomers, Metals, and Sealants .

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Figures 16–18 represent the post-exposure appearance of coupons of cartridge brass, phosphor bronze,
and galvanized steel, respectively, resulting from the expanded testing. These images indicate the degree
of discoloration and film formation associated with each exposure (other materials indicated far less, or
even no, discoloration and film formation). As indicated by the planned interval test results,31 particularly
for the copper-based alloys, these corrosion films form quickly upon exposure to fuel at elevated
temperature and tend to be adherent to and protective of the substrate.
X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was performed on representative coupon surfaces following
testing (to compare with results from unexposed coupons) to assess the corrosion film thickness and
composition as a function of ethanol content in the exposure environment. The corrosion film
composition and thickness were not found to be substantially functions of the percent of ethanol in the
fuel blends (~ 10, 17, 20, and 25%). In other words, the XPS results for a given material were
indistinguishable and independent of ethanol concentration. Representative XPS results, shown in Fig. 19,
were measured for cartridge brass exposed to CE25a. The plot reveals the composition of the corrosion
product film as a function of depth from the surface (the film is incrementally sputtered from the surface,
and the identity of released materials is distinguished by relative energy). As stated, the sputter profiles
for cartridge brass exposed to CE10a, CE17a, and CE20a were indistinct from that shown in Fig. 19 for
exposure to CE25a.

So, inconclusive, may be not.

[country gent]

I have used acetone, rubbing alcahol , laquer thinner. at different times. What I prefer is to deprime lube and size. then a quick trip thru ground corncobs with a little nufinsh added. On large batches this is faster than wiping them down by hand. To just remove the lube may take 1/2 hour or so. This gets the brass clen of lube the nufinish leaves a protective coating against corrosion and last, is quick and easy.
I have 3 containers of corn cobs in use normally, besides the 50 lb bag of new. 1) is the oldest for range brass once fired that's really cruddy and nasty. This has been used first in the other 2 uses. this is the last use for corn cobs for me. 2) is for brass that's been fired by me and needs cleaned of fouling and a shine put back on it its treated with nufinish and Iosso brass polish. This brass is dull from firing and or age and needs a little time in the polisher to remove dust dirt and fouling before sizing. this is the second use of corn cobs for me. 3) This is new corn cobs with a little nu finnish added that already cleaned brass is ran thru to remove lubes after sizing. This is the newest corn cob being used. Here the nu finnish and sizing lube seem to condition it for the next uses. I have found the Imperial sizing die wax I use and the nufinnish in the corn cobs seem to make a combination for a very nice shine and polish job in the next use of them.

[Soundguy]

https://bioenergykdf.net/system/file...lants_Kass.pdf Have fun reading. Intermediate Ethanol Blends
Infrastructure Materials Compatibility
Study: Elastomers, Metals, and Sealants .

Oak Ridge National Laboratory



So, inconclusive, may be not.

I tried to reply to your pm, but you have replies blocked.

That's a good read. Close study of page xvi shows that while there is a copper sulfide film, it was considered of no consequence. In other words, it formed a protective patina.

I also see that galvanic corrosion was purposely caused by dissimilar metal combinations in the solution.

Also of note, was they were not using straight ethanol, but rather 'aggressive ethanol', which was a solution of water, ethanol, salt and sulfuric acid.

The purpose was to estimate long term exposure for immersed products. ( vapor test products produced nill results ).

Given those extreme variables used, it is easy to conclude that plain ethanol used to rinse brass will cause -0- harm.

On the other hand if you stack all the variables to their maximum negative impact, acid, galvanic, corrosive minerals, heat and long term duration, then you could end up with an essential non harmful tarnish.

Doesn't seem like a problem to me.

[EDG]

I lube my brass with Imperial. For about the last 20 years I have been removing the lube with 90% isopropyl alcohol.
IPA is a standard solvent used to clean flux residue off of PCBs (printed circuit board assemblies) and wire harnesses after soldering in the electronics industries. It is also used to clean and for wipe down of ultra high vacuum equipment in the semiconductor industry. Finally it is used to clean work surfaces, tools and work in process in medical implant manufacturing.

[retread]

No experience with it for cleaning brass, but acetone will remove a lot of things and evaporates away very quickly.

Acetone is what I use. As stated it evaporates quickly. I have a container (glass with a screw on lid) that I fill half way with acetone, add brass and shake for about 15 seconds.
Then I pour of the acetone into another glass container, dump out the brass to dry and return the acetone to my "cleaning" container, screw on the lid and save for the next batch to be cleaned. The acetone will last a long time before it needs to be changed. Works for me. I use Imperial sizing wax.

[knifemaker]

To degrease my rifle brass after sizing, I use alcohol. I buy one gallon at the local hardware, not that expensive. I use a large wide mouth container and put the brass in the container. Pour enough alcohol to cover the brass, screw the lid on and shake the brass in the alcohol. Then I pour the used alcohol into a empty one gallon can, use a funnel, and screw the cap shut to preserve the alcohol. Lay the brass on a towel to dry. You can reuse the alcohol several times to degrease more brass and the alcohol will last for a good amount of time.

[bangerjim]

Use Keri ONLY in kerosene lamps. Do no use if for degreasing.

Use acetone/laq thinner. Those cut grease, are readily avaiable at big box stores, are relatively harmless to you body , and do an excellent job of cutting grease.

I use laq thinner regularly to degrease everything in my machine shops. Cuts grease better than stoddard solvent. But watch open flames!!!!!!!!! ( heaters/water heaters/ etc). I degreaed a complete SouthBend 10" lathe using only laq thinner......with precautions observed.....nitrile gloves.

Banger

[Soundguy]

When I wrench on my farm tractors.. That's when I use kerosene or diesel as a parts degreaser..

[shortfal]

Lacquer thinner!! Always have it in my body shop. Works great and dries fast. Cleans up my cases lubed with a mix of alcohol/lanolin just fine. A good degreaser for most anything.
Pete

[Bama]

Thank you for the replies everyone. In the long term this is one I’m going to be trying out some different lines.

Just doing it how I remember my dad doing it. Clean motor oil. Never heard of anyone else using it, and always just dealt with the degreasing as coming with the territory. Never did a batch as big as I’m currently doing and know their is probably a much better way of doing it. In the meantime I’ve got this one last batch to degrease and will hopefully find another method with easier cleanup once I do some research. Really enjoy having the forums search function and members to answer my questions.

The only thing I have found so far that really works os vibratory cleaner with fine walnut shells and about a tablespoon of NU Polish drizzled into it. There is something in it that takes the lanolin off and it also cleans the black necks on bottle neck rifle cases. Just might be your solution.

[shortlegs]

Rubbing alcohol removes homemade lanolin/heet lube. Brass in coffee can,alcohol in put top on and shake lightly for a second or two. Strain and store alcohol in peanut butter jar in coffee can. Brass laid out on old cookie sheet dries in minutes. I have reused the alcohol several times and it still works great. I use the 91% rubbing alcohol.

[redhawk0]

Never use any product with Ammonia (works great to remove greasy waxes)...but it weakens anything with copper...which is a component of brass. I buy gallon jugs of Denatured Alcohol from HomeDepot or Lowes...it works great as a degreaser, general purpose cleaner. I use it a lot....and its cheap.

redhawk

[LenH]

I remember my parents using the term Coal Oil for kerosene.

[Walkingwolf]

Dawn, and hot water.

[6bg6ga]

After sizing its back into the tumber full of lizard litter for my brass. Once clean they get primed and loaded.

[Jack Stanley]

Thank you for the replies everyone. In the long term this is one I’m going to be trying out some different lines.

Just doing it how I remember my dad doing it. Clean motor oil. Never heard of anyone else using it, and always just dealt with the degreasing as coming with the territory. Never did a batch as big as I’m currently doing and know their is probably a much better way of doing it. In the meantime I’ve got this one last batch to degrease and will hopefully find another method with easier cleanup once I do some research. Really enjoy having the forums search function and members to answer my questions.

Motor oil as resizing lube ?????

Jack

[retread]

Acetone is what I use. As stated it evaporates quickly. I have a container (glass with a screw on lid) that I fill half way with acetone, add brass and shake for about 15 seconds.
Then I pour of the acetone into another glass container, dump out the brass to dry and return the acetone to my "cleaning" container, screw on the lid and save for the next batch to be cleaned. The acetone will last a long time before it needs to be changed. Works for me. I use Imperial sizing wax.

I use this same method but with Lacquer thinner. The same thinner lasts a loooong time.

[rodsvet]

I'm with Walkingwolf. Hot water and Dawn, rinse, dry, done.

[6bg6ga]

Motor oil as resizing lube ?????

Jack

There is a lanolin/ heat mixture that works great for sizing.

[6bg6ga]

Rubbing alcohol removes homemade lanolin/heet lube. Brass in coffee can,alcohol in put top on and shake lightly for a second or two. Strain and store alcohol in peanut butter jar in coffee can. Brass laid out on old cookie sheet dries in minutes. I have reused the alcohol several times and it still works great. I use the 91% rubbing alcohol.

If you have a tumbler use lizard litter and tumble the lube off. This is the safe smart way of doing things. About a 1/2 hr if memory is correct and this is all you need. Ultrasonic with dawn and a little commercial cleaner for a few minutes and the brass is clean. Either sun dry or a few minutes in the oven at around 130 degrees and the brass will dry.