4 ms·

Why not aluminium?

• Turing_Machine 3y ago
  One reason might be that aluminum reacts with sodium hydroxide (lye), which is used in just about every drain cleaning product. "Yep, that 5" hole in the side of the pipe sure keeps everything flowing." Heh. The manufacturer could put a warning label on it, but you and I both know how well that's going to work in practice. Edit: oh, and the reaction produces large quantities of hydrogen gas, for extra fun.
  • thfuran 3y ago
    It reacts with acids and bases, so using the other half of drain cleaners that are sulfuric or hydrochloric acid won't help.
• poulsbohemian 3y ago
  I'm not a metallurgist, but it has been my observation that it deteriorates over time with hot / cold cycles. When I walk into a house built in the 1950s with aluminum pipe, I generally advise homeowners to expect to need to replace it within their time per ownership as my plumber friends have advised it has around a 75 year life at best.