I'm not certain, but I think Stanley Meyer did say at some point that he was using stainless steel electrodes. Certainly all the websites touching this topic say you should use stainless steel.
However, one thought provoking comment I saw on a Youtube video recently said that when a cell is used initially the chromium oxidises and this creates the reddish or orangey colour in the water the first several times it is used. Chromium oxides, particularly chromium IV are said to be carcinogenic. Typically people would pour this dirty water down the drain, so are electrolysis enthusiasts unwittingly creating some fairly hazardous waste in this manner?
The Youtube comment in question suggested titanium instead. I don't believe titanium oxides are as benign as industry claims, particularly in relation to the digestive tract, but still it's an interesting metal for electrical purposes. I researched it and found that titanium oxidises very quickly and easily with an electric anodising process using simple chemicals at home, such as a baking soda solution. As a novelty the oxide layer creates different colours dependent on anodising voltage. Depth of oxide layer depends on voltage. Most interesting is that the oxide layer is very resistant to current flow, which is a key property that Meyer considered important in his process, so perhaps we could use titanium's oxide layer to our advantage?
Some people trying to replicate Meyer's work talk about this somewhat mysterious process whereby you have condition the electrodes with multiple runs of the cell at different voltages and/or currents to get the right electrode surface conditions. If titanium can build up an amp inhibiting coat with a very simple 5 second dip in electrified solution then that sounds preferable, especially if it is to be done by less-skilled hobbyists. There is obviously the downside that titanium is more expensive.
Anyone have any thoughts or experience with titanium in this context?
However, one thought provoking comment I saw on a Youtube video recently said that when a cell is used initially the chromium oxidises and this creates the reddish or orangey colour in the water the first several times it is used. Chromium oxides, particularly chromium IV are said to be carcinogenic. Typically people would pour this dirty water down the drain, so are electrolysis enthusiasts unwittingly creating some fairly hazardous waste in this manner?
The Youtube comment in question suggested titanium instead. I don't believe titanium oxides are as benign as industry claims, particularly in relation to the digestive tract, but still it's an interesting metal for electrical purposes. I researched it and found that titanium oxidises very quickly and easily with an electric anodising process using simple chemicals at home, such as a baking soda solution. As a novelty the oxide layer creates different colours dependent on anodising voltage. Depth of oxide layer depends on voltage. Most interesting is that the oxide layer is very resistant to current flow, which is a key property that Meyer considered important in his process, so perhaps we could use titanium's oxide layer to our advantage?
Some people trying to replicate Meyer's work talk about this somewhat mysterious process whereby you have condition the electrodes with multiple runs of the cell at different voltages and/or currents to get the right electrode surface conditions. If titanium can build up an amp inhibiting coat with a very simple 5 second dip in electrified solution then that sounds preferable, especially if it is to be done by less-skilled hobbyists. There is obviously the downside that titanium is more expensive.
Anyone have any thoughts or experience with titanium in this context?