Body Shop Owners And PDR Technicians: Aluminum Alloy Is Here To Stay Part III

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F-150

So Why So Clean?

The clean room that is required for working on aluminum is probably the most expensive part of this new technology. It needs to be fully separated from all other types of work where there may be other technicians performing welding, bonding, riveting, sanding, grinding and structured procedures on aluminum components.

This is all very important because other vehicle metals, such as steel, contain chemical structures and elements that contaminate aluminum. Perhaps the biggest offender are the iron oxide that flies around in the air after grinding and sanding the steel.  This iron causes corrosion that leads to adhesion and paint failures. You end up losing more in the end by having to replace the ruined components than you would lose just by creating a clean room. It’s not worth it and anyone who argues that there should be no need to separate out this clean room has either never worked on aluminum or has never seen what can happen.

The next important consideration is what does actually happen when aluminum and iron oxide mix. Well the result is a thermite reaction, both aluminum and iron oxide are combined to create thermite bombs. I’d say that’s not so good in a body shop.

In addition, if you mix magnesium with the aluminum and iron oxide, which by the way magnesium is present in many luxury vehicles, you could end up with an explosive incendiary mixture in your body shop or work environment. Could you only just imagine the lawsuits that would come from an explosive reaction? Or what about the repercussions? Do you still think that having a clean room is a waste of money? You stand to lose the body shop, even possibly loss of life. Let’s not forget the vehicles themselves and the property structure. Why would you argue on the side of not having a separate room?

Follow me to Part IV for more vital information.