Aluminum Instead of Stainless Steel for developing

**ki6mf** · 25-Jan-2008, 13:39

Does anyone know if Aluminum containers will react with Developer/Stop Bath/ Fixer and should be avoided?

Thanks in Advance

**davidb** · 25-Jan-2008, 13:44

there's probably a good reason why all of the available tanks and such are made of stainless steel.

**Arne Croell** · 25-Jan-2008, 14:40

Originally Posted by ki6mf

Does anyone know if Aluminum containers will react with Developer/Stop Bath/ Fixer and should be avoided?

Thanks in Advance

Yes, aluminum reacts with both alkaline solutions (developer) and non-oxidizing acids like acetic or citric acid (stop bath and possibly fixer). Don't use it.

**Ole Tjugen** · 25-Jan-2008, 15:13

There was a long thread about this over on www.apug.org a little while ago. The conclusion was simple, though:

DON'T!!! It can even be dangerous!

**ki6mf** · 26-Jan-2008, 19:10

Thanks for the posts Bye Bye to the Aluminium 2 Qt Measure!

**ki6mf** · 26-Jan-2008, 19:14

Soon after purchasing an Aluminium 2 QT measureing cup i did find some stainless steel (ss18) Bain Maries appx 6 inch Diameter 1.5 Qt serving dishes (used in buffet salad bars) and these will let me mix and tempeture regulate my chemicals. A google search will find several sources should be able to get them for $5-7 each. Thanks for all who posted!