Cleaning a Nikasil Plated Cylinder

[Resurgence Small Engine Inc.]

In this video, Jonathan describes how he cleaned a Nikasil plated cylinder.

Aluminum cylinders are often coated with a harder material such as Nikasil (Nickel Silicon Carbide). Over time, the softer aluminum of the pistons can rub off onto the cylinder. When rebuilding the top-end, this should be cleaned off.

This can be done using hydrochloric acid which reacts with aluminum to produce hydrogen gas and aluminum chloride, which washed off with water. Since Nikasil is resistant to corrosion, it is undamaged and protects the cylinder during this process.

Here is the chemical reaction:

2 Al (s) + 6 HCl (aq) → 2 AlCl3 (aq) + 3 H2 (g)

 

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