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How to Dissolve Steel Ammonium Alum

Steel and ammonium alum are two separate metals with very different properties. In order to dissolve these metals when combined, it is necessary to apply two distinct compounds that will interact with the structures of each metal, resulting in total dissolution. Mixing these compounds is not advised; rather, it is recommended that one be applied to the metal initially and allowed to react completely prior to administering the second dissolving agent.

Things You'll Need

Glass tank
Circuit wire
Wire strippers
Alligator clips
9-volt battery
Sulfuric acid
Distilled water
Towel
Hydrochloric acid

Instructions

- 1
  Prepare an electrochemical bath of sulfuric acid diluted to 15% within a glass tank.
- 2
  Strip back one inch of coating from each end of both circuit wires. Connect one end of the red and black wires to the steel ammonium alum using alligator clips.
- 3
  Submerge the metal in the bath. Conduct a reverse sulfuric acid strip by connecting the loose end of the black circuit wire to the negative terminal of a 9-volt battery and the red wire to the positive terminal in order to dissolve the steel.
- 4
  Remove the metal from the bath when the steel is dissolved and dry completely.
- 5
  Dissolve ammonium alum in water with a ratio of 1 gram to 20mL, and add 5 mL hydrochloric acid.

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