I was reading along the “high price brass track on ebay” thread and had an interesting thought / question-- and am interested if anybody knows the answer…
Regarding oxidation and electricity, or more specifically, “electrolysis”-- the two are electro-chemically linked. In a standard electrolysis setup, a direct current (i.e. “DC”) is applied to an ionic material, which causes electrons to flow either toward or away from the material, respective of the polarity of the current. When a metal “oxidizes”, it undegoes a transformation at its surface caused by a weak electrolytic / ionic reaction involving the oxygen in the air, and perhaps other trace elements which may be present. Over time, the constant action of the electrolytic condition causes the actual chemistry of the external surface of the metal to change. Depending on the specific type of metal, its apparent conductivity may also change.
Now, here’s where my thought / question comes from-- a layout which uses Direct Current (“DC”) as its primary element of control, is probably more susceptible to oxidation due to its constant infusion of current through the rails, which would have a tendency to increase the rate of oxidation in the rails and wheels and other metallic elements involved in the flow of electricity to/from the throttle and motors. Theoretically a layout controlled by an Alternating Current would not be susceptible to any (much) increase in the rate of oxidation due to the tendency of the reversing currents to “cancel out” the effect in both directions. In other words, it would spend part of its time attracting electrons and part of its time repelling them, and theoretically the electrolytic effect would cancel itself out and thus the rate of oxidation would not be substantially affected one way or the other. (I don’t know if that holds up in reality-- perhaps someone knows?)
I am wondering whether the rate of oxidation in a layout controlled by DCC is essentially the same as would be present in a layout operated with
I have no idea about the correct answer. I never ran brass track when I was DC, I was new and I was told it was bad. I did not install any brass track till after I went DCC. As I have stated a few times, Ii have had no problems with the brass track staying as clean as my N/S track.
I would bet the environment the brass track is in would be more of a factor then if you use DC or DCC. From what I understand brass track will always become dirtier then nickel silver with all variables being equal.
A guy I’ve met out in Bowmanville has nothing but brass track for his layout. He told me that he uses Whal’s clipper oil on the tracks to keep them clean.
I have some brass Shinohara switches that I plan on using on my current layout but in siding & yard duty. I plan on using this technique to keep the brass track clean.
Gord, after I clean my track I always follow it up with a few drops of Wahl’s Clipper Oil. My old club uses it as well and I got to say it is the best thing I’ve ever used. It really does work on nickel silver track. [Y]
I was reading along the “high price brass track on ebay” thread and had an interesting thought / question-- and am interested if anybody knows the answer…
Regarding oxidation and electricity, or more specifically, “electrolysis”-- the two are electro-chemically linked. In a standard electrolysis setup, a direct current (i.e. “DC”) is applied to an ionic material, which causes electrons to flow either toward or away from the material, respective of the polarity of the current. When a metal “oxidizes”, it undegoes a transformation at its surface caused by a weak electrolytic / ionic reaction involving the oxygen in the air, and perhaps other trace elements which may be present. Over time, the constant action of the electrolytic condition causes the actual chemistry of the external surface of the metal to change. Depending on the specific type of metal, its apparent conductivity may also change.
Now, here’s where my thought / question comes from-- a layout which uses Direct Current (“DC”) as its primary element of control, is probably more susceptible to oxidation due to its constant infusion of current through the rails, which would have a tendency to increase the rate of oxidation in the rails and wheels and other metallic elements involved in the flow of electricity to/from the throttle and motors. Theoretically a layout controlled by an Alternating Current would not be susceptible to any (much) increase in the rate of oxidation due to the tendency of the reversing currents to “cancel out” the effect in both directions. In other words, it would spend part of its time attracting electrons and part of its time repelling them, and theoretically the electrolytic effect would cancel itself out and thus the rate of oxidation would not be substantially affected one way or the other. (I don’t know if that holds up in reality-- perhaps someone knows?)
I am wondering whether the rate of oxidation in a layout controlled by DCC is essentially the same as would be p
While it might be an interesting science project, my ypothesis is that the oxidation due to humidity air born polutants, etc. would be so much greater that any difference due to the current being carried would not make any practical difference.
On the other hand, one of the very first command control seminars I went to (way back in 1984?) recommended brass track over nickel-silver due to the greater electrical conductivity. Of course we get around this by simply installing more feeders.