Hi guys ---
I got this from another group and thought it might be good to pass along.
I have edited the other comments out, though the text contained is intact.
Have fun!
Bill Winans
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> I pulled this article from Model Railroad Hobbyist Magazine, an e-zine.
> Here's a rather interesting look at just what that dirt is...
John
> Black
> Gunk
> After discussing the track fouling problem with a friend, he sent me a
> piece of heavily used, poorly cleaned silver nickel track which I then
> sent to the
> analytical lab for an analysis of the black crud that was presumed to be
> from using plastic wheels. The report came back today.
> Drum roll please...
> It has nothing to do with plastic wheels... sort of. The black crud is
> near 100% pure nickel oxide. Nickel (III) oxide to be specific. Saw the
> spectrograph output proving it. It is the natural oxidation of the nickel
> in the silver nickel plating on the track. Interestingly enough, it is
> deposited in such a manner as to suggest it was formed during an
> electrical arc. When viewed under extreme magnification it looks like
> random dots rather than a continuous film. The metallurgist explained to
> me it is likely microscopic irregularities on the tread of locomotive
> wheels and track face and/or common dust on the track is causing momentary
> loss of electrical contact resulting in nanosecond duration, nanometer
> long electrical arcs which cause the nickel to oxidize far faster than
> would naturally occur. One could never see this with the naked eye they
> would be so small. He is only guessing based on observation of the
> deposits but who am I to question his analysis? The oxide is also very
> tightly bound to the track. This explains why a Brite Boy is
effective while wet wiping is not.
When asked about plastic wheels he postulates the plastic has nothing to do
with it. Rather, metal wheels due to their harder surface are far more
effective at wearing away the oxide. The wheels aren't responsible for the
problem, they are the removers of oxide and plastic is just a very poor
remover.
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