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Post by Bob on Aug 3, 2022 10:02:05 GMT -5
In thinking about doing another polish test but with more than the 4 polishes (alum/cer/chrom/tin) used, I've been trying to learn about zinc oxide. There isn't much info out there about it in rock tumbling. Do any of you use it? Is it considered a polish for consideration that might outdo other polishes on some rock materials?
The little I did find published mentions that it is very soft, and so using it might take forever.
My client who is knowledgeable about the physics of polishes told me long ago that many polishes are softer than the materials they polish--odd though that seems.
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Aug 3, 2022 10:51:05 GMT -5
isn't that the stuff we put on our noses to stop sunburn? I do not know if I have ever even seen Zinc Oxide available as a polish (unless that is what ZAM is)
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Post by thisislandearth on Aug 6, 2022 14:05:14 GMT -5
In thinking about doing another polish test but with more than the 4 polishes (alum/cer/chrom/tin) used, I've been trying to learn about zinc oxide. There isn't much info out there about it in rock tumbling. Do any of you use it? Is it considered a polish for consideration that might outdo other polishes on some rock materials? The little I did find published mentions that it is very soft, and so using it might take forever. My client who is knowledgeable about the physics of polishes told me long ago that many polishes are softer than the materials they polish--odd though that seems. Bob - I thought I saw that someone mentioned that Thumler's polish was at one time using titanium oxide - have you considered ( or already tried that )? Interestingly, I saw someone on ebay selling bismuth oxide powder. It's in the same family as aluminum and tin and interestingly, is used for optical coatings and semiconductor coatings. Not sure as to it's toxicity ...
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Post by Bob on Aug 6, 2022 15:44:32 GMT -5
A couple of people mentioned zinc ox to me, but think I'm going to forget about it. They were mostly speculating.
So far have tit ox and ground walnut hills on list. Had not heard anything about bismuth. Some polish compounds have a structure that makes them work only in flat lapping applications.
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Post by rmf on Aug 7, 2022 3:34:35 GMT -5
There might be a inhalation issue with zinc oxide but it will cure your athletes foot. And yes that is what is used as a sun screen.
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Post by Mel on Aug 18, 2022 17:35:40 GMT -5
I've used titanium oxide (or dioxide? I can't remember which, unfortunately). It shined up EVERYTHING amazingly well. If I could find it in bulk for an affordable price, I'd choose it over aluminum oxide in my tumblers every time.
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Post by As I in does tries! on Aug 18, 2022 20:39:30 GMT -5
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Post by Bob on Aug 20, 2022 9:40:23 GMT -5
Interesting. I see it for sale as rock polish in a few places, so will probably include it in any more comparison testing.
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