What Mercury Can Do To Aluminum

You aren't allowed to take mercury on an airplane. It's dangerous stuff, to be sure, but who knew that the way it interacts with aluminum was the reason? Nile Red shows us what happens, although it isn't easy. Aluminum is usually protected by a layer of oxide, which he removes. In the real world, we don't want to count on that safety feature. The mercury did not end up damaging the aluminum all that much, but that doesn't mean airlines should allow it. Who knows what that "Oh, cool!" effect would do in a uncontrolled situation. Oh yeah, the generator site Nile Red talks about is here. Open the menu at the upper left to change it. (via TYWKIWDBI)