How to remove oxide from laser module?

[deltawars]

My NDB7875 module seems to have built up quite a bit of a oxide layer, I'm expecting the host to arrive in about 3 days and I wanted to know how can I remove the oxide layer? The only 2 things I can think of is carefully sand it or use hydrochloric acid, Could these methods be dangerous to the diode and x-drive or is there any better way to remove the oxide layer +rep for answer


Edit: I used the search function for best thermal paste but I cant find anything clear, I don't care if it is a glue or paste I just want the best heat transfer between the module and heatsink. Is there anything better then Arctic Silver 5?

 

[ChaosLord]

I saw in a post by sinner about his Cypreus-II host, that lemon juice & vinegar removes copper oxide. I haven't tried it, but it should be safer than hydrochloric acid! I do plan to try this on my cyperus host when I get to building in them.

As for thermal paste, alot of opinions on that. Some say dont need it, or can be harmful.

I've used artic ceramic thermal paste in most of my builds, and it seems to work great. I prefer it due to it is non - conductive while having excellent heat transfer.

 

[Jstr]

Try the lemon juice and vinegar first. Or you could polish it, but that would take longer.

I would definitely stay away from HCl; it reacts with copper and I wouldn't risk it ruining the module completely.

IMO thermal paste isn't necessary but it's your call!

 

[deltawars]

lemon and vinegar worked it does leave a very thin oxide layer but at least its better then that thick layer, Thanks for yo help

 

[ultimatekaiser]

yeah a weak acetic acid (vinegar) and citrus works well, especially with a touch of salt added....but I always just polish it off with a light touch of brasso on the end of a cloth frankly. Any acid running over it will pull the oxide layer off, but its left so pure, that it flash oxidizes right after.

 

[deltawars]

Brasso? I have never heard of it but for only £2.50 for 150ML I have to try it! Gotta polish my hosts some how.

 

[ultimatekaiser]

It's basically just a liquid, fine grit polish for soft metals. I just put a little on a soft cotton cloth and rub it down makes it look like new.

 

[The Lightning Stalker]

I use a pink gum eraser. It is a very gentle abrasive. Then you can apply some car wax to protect it from
further corrosion.

 

[bdgreenb]

I just polished my sinner copper pen that was very tarnished from when I lived right on the Pacific Ocean with... KETCHUP! Works like a dream, you just need the littlest bit on a soft cloth, not even glommy just enough to soak into the cloth a bit.

 

[BShanahan14rulz]

Is there not an alloy of copper that doesn't tarnish? Seems that tarnishing is only desirable for a copper host when you want it to patina, but not so much for a heat spreader, where you want it to be able to transfer heat too.

 

[deltawars]

someone needs to sell copper modules and hosts that are silver plated, that way you have awesome heat sinking and the host would look really cool and not oxidise.

Now that I am thinking electrolysis is so dam easy we can just do it ourselfs, when I do my next build or maybe the one after my current one I'm working on, I will give it a go.

 

[The Lightning Stalker]

Silver tarnishes. It would have to be something like chrome. That is what the standard brass AixiZ
modules are plated with. It would sacrifice some thermal conductivity in exchange for corrosion
resistance.

 

[ultimatekaiser]

I wrap and press my super hot ones with indium foil.

 

[Apocalypse]

Gold plate it