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Thread: Removing two metal plates bonded together by epoxy ?

  1. #1
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    Default Removing two metal plates bonded together by epoxy ?

    Hi,

    For a secret experiment i will reveal here soon, i need to remove two metal plates that are bonded together by very strong epoxy. One plate is copper (around 5mm thick) and the other is aluminium (also around 5mm)
    The copper can be damaged if needed, the aluminium absolutely not.
    I think the surface where the 2 plates are bonded together is around 5x12cm.
    The layer of epoxy is extremely thin, so i cannot get a screwdriver or something in between unfortunately.
    It's very hard to remove the bond. At this moment i think i will take a bandsaw and start sawing into the copper and then try to pry it open. Heating it could also be an option (but rather not).
    It's very hard to get something between the two plates, i was thinking about a sharp chisel (sp?).
    But on the aluminium are some optics so hitting it really hard isn't also an option.

    Any help is appreciated.
    I didn't fail !
    I just found out 10,000 ways that didn't work.

  2. #2
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    If it's the proper epoxy, forget forced splitting !!
    Consider copper and aluminium as lumps of butter joint by a thin layer of steel.

    I would suggest milling and/or an industrial sanding-band

  3. #3
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    Oops, not something i wanted to hear ;-(
    But then a Bandsaw is a better option, because both halves contain stuff i need to keep.
    So splitting with the bandsaw is the only option then, milling will damage too much....
    I didn't fail !
    I just found out 10,000 ways that didn't work.

  4. #4
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    STOP!
    Heat up the two parts in a high temp flame, and they will slide apart with minimal force.
    Blow torch, gas hob etc...
    Personally I'd heat the Al side, as the Cu side will oxidise quite quickly, giving not the best even finish

    Edit:Ah... just seen it had optics on it. Heat from the copper side, gently and slowly.
    - There is no such word as "can't" -
    - 60% of the time it works every time -

  5. #5
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    The optics are spotwelded on, so heating it would not matter.
    But the optics are on one side and the copper plate on the other side.
    So the copperside would be the best side to heat, although the copper side has 8 c-mounts on them.... dillema dillema...
    Oops.... i am disclosing some of the secrets i will disclose soon ;-)

    Will try with the burner tonight or tomorrow.
    I didn't fail !
    I just found out 10,000 ways that didn't work.

  6. #6
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    I don't want to state the obvious but considering the stuff that's mounted to it, wouldn't it be better just to get a new ally plate? 5mm at those dimensions shouldn't be too bad.
    - There is no such word as "can't" -
    - 60% of the time it works every time -

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by hobbybob View Post
    the copper side has 8 c-mounts on them
    HA! now we know what you're fiddling with

  8. #8
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    Wrap it in tinfoil and stick it in the oven for 2 hours @ 200-300 Deg. F As long as it's not "Really Good" epoxy it should break down and slide off easily. You'll even get a little bi-metal action to help break the seal.

  9. #9
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    Before you ask, there is NO chance that the expoxy will dissolve in any chemical that doesn't eat the metals first.
    Besides that, the contact surface with the solvent is so small it would take forever.

    Been there ...

  10. #10
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    mixedgas is offline Creaky Old Award Winning Bastard Technologist
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    Strong NaOH inhot H2O eats aluminum.. So as long as your optics are not KTP,, KDP, LBO etc and are just glass, that is a option.

    (aka drain cleaner..)

    Watch out for the released fumes. Wear safety glasses

    There are solvents for epoxy, but if you have to ask, odds are you do not have access.
    THF comes to mind..

    Then I see the line about c-mounts... heat might get the indium attach points.. Sorry, didnt read far enough...

    Steve
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