Re: [Paddlewise] The stainless thread

This is your friendly water chemist back (who'd actually much prefer to earn a
living while kayaking).





The sodium hypochlorite in bleach, is the same material that is used in
treating swimming pools and potable water. Sometimes you will also see calcium
hypochlorite being used. The "active" part of the compound is the hypochlorite
ion which forms hypochlorous acid when dissolved in water. This is the
material that is a very strong oxidizing agent and kills all the little
unwanted critters in the water.





As the hypochlorous acid is consumed, you will be left with chloride ions (the
same little buggers that are found in table salt or salt water). Chlorides are
very corrosive to stainless steel and causes it to become brittle and to crack
across the grain boundaries.





The amount of chlorine used in a swimming pool is very small, on the order of
1 - 3 milligrams per liter (mg/l) or about 1 - 3 lbs per 120,000 gallons of
water. This should not be a problem with our boats.





I've had my boat in my pool several times and I've noticed nothing with the
stainless steel skeg cable. I'm more worried about the gel coat on the sides
of the pool.





Steve Holtzman


  ----- Original Message ----- 


  From: Randy Ricchi 


  I know from my homebrewing experience that household bleach is VERY 


  corrosive to stainless steel. Now, the active ingredient in household 


  bleach is sodium hypochlorite, which may be somewhat different from the 


  chlorine they use in swimming pools, but I've always wondered if those who 



  practice rolling during the winter months in swimming pools should be 


  concerned about any stainless parts on their kayaks.





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