At 05:22 AM 5/31/2009, r cielec wrote:
>While I am searching the archives, I request your indulgence to
>simultaneously post this question to the list for the reason of urgency.
>
>This is the steel-alloy seizure condition. For reason of the
>metallurgical-chemical cause of the seizure, I vaguely recall that
>specific fluids were recommended. Was coca-cola one of the
>recommended fluids ? What are the recommended fluids ? The name
>Kroil comes to mind but, I am not sure if that was the medicine for
>rust or for this type of seizure also.
Sheldon Brown has some suggestions at
<http://www.sheldonbrown.com/stuck-seatposts.html>http://www.sheldonbrown.com/stuck-seatposts.html
Ammonia is one that's mentioned there and in the list archive. It works by dissolving the aluminum oxide, but it sounds like it's not a quick process. If you have a well-ventilated area, it may be possible to use stronger ammonia solutions; one message mentioned a 10% janitorial-strength solution available at Ace Hardware; another mentioned that very strong solutions are available from blueprint supply houses.
The dry-ice idea sounds especially cool ;-)
Mitchell Gass
Berkeley CA USA