Method and apparatus for electrochemically cleaning gun bores and the

Abstract

The metal fouling which is deposited in the bores and other interior parts of firearms as a result of firing is selectively removed by an electrochemical process which is innocuous to the ferrous base metal of the firearm. A low voltage d-c potential is applied between the ferrous base metal of the firearm to be cleaned, which is maintained as the positive electrode with respect to an auxiliary electrode which is, for example, inserted into the bore and electrically insulated therefrom. An electrolyte occupying the space between the interior of the bore and the auxiliary electrode is selected to be non-oxidizing to the ferrous base metal and capable of solubilizing the electrochemically oxidized metal fouling to be removed. Metal fouling or deposits are completely removed without affecting the ferrous base metal of the bore. The auxiliary electrode onto which the metal fouling is electrodeposited may conveniently comprise a long, narrow brush with a conductive rod and nonconductive bristles, the latter acting to maintain electrical separation of the electrodes. The low voltage d-c potential may be applied with a d-c power source or a potentiostat with suitable reference electrode. The method may also be applied to cleaning dies and molds used in die casting and powder metallurgy or the like, where the build-up of metal or metal oxide deposits adversely affects quality, accuracy, or tolerance and repeated abrasive or other cleaning is undesirable.