Page 1 of 3

Please help: white powder from carbon fiber tank

Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2017 11:56 am
by jeffbroodwar
Hi Friends,

Its my first time to go to a dive shop and ask them to fill my carbon fiber tank. When I got home, I checked the preasure of my tank using a dead head. After checking, I removed the dead head and surprised to find a white powder like dirt Inside the hose (hose is new so its not there before the test), I also tried to remove the gauge(my set up has din valve and gauge that can be removed to see the din opening) to expose the din opening and found similar powder like dirt (seems face powder like texture)

Im concerned if this is normal, will this cause problem when accumulated? I disregard the aluminum corrosion since mine is a cf tank and brand new.

Please if you've seen this before, let me know your thoughts. Thanks Lads.

Jeff

Re: Please help: white powder from carbon fiber tank

Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2017 6:34 pm
by Blackbaronfish
Aluminium oxide is found on aluminium exposed to water, so not sure why it would be in your carbon tank.

BBF

Re: Please help: white powder from carbon fiber tank

Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2017 6:35 pm
by Phil B
Purely a non-specialist guess. It is mould release agent that has become dislodged?

Re: Please help: white powder from carbon fiber tank

Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2017 6:58 pm
by eboswan
maybe worth asking this question on a few diver forums I think.
there is a dive shop a few minutes from me I will call in there tomorrow and ask.

Re: Please help: white powder from carbon fiber tank

Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2017 7:30 pm
by jeffbroodwar
Many thanks guys for your quick reaponse. I really appreciate it. I tried to search and found something related to a substance used to remove moisture from air used in compressors but need second opinion.

Yes please, call them if possible. I'll call mine as well and see if they know it.
Im concerned that it might clog my air reservoir in time...or perhaps its natural for compressors to have it and I should not worry at all.

Many thanks Lads

Jeff

Re: Please help: white powder from carbon fiber tank

Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2017 7:52 pm
by granville
been a lot on norfolk beaches .

Re: Please help: white powder from carbon fiber tank

Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2017 8:42 pm
by Dan
granville wrote:been a lot on norfolk beaches .

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Re: Please help: white powder from carbon fiber tank

Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2017 9:23 pm
by Brooksy
Actually, carbon fibre tanks aren't all CF. They are a thin walled aluminium bottle which is wrapped in carbon fibre and epoxy. So, the inner lining is aluminium and the carbon fibre prevents expansion and bursting. Otherwise, how do you get an ally thread for the valve in there?

Re: Please help: white powder from carbon fiber tank

Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2017 5:22 am
by Blackbaronfish
Dan wrote:
granville wrote:been a lot on norfolk beaches .

:lol: :lol: :lol:

And what a find that was :shock:

BBF

Re: Please help: white powder from carbon fiber tank

Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2017 8:04 am
by TenMetrePeter
if it was naturally part of the filling drying process it would affect steel tanks as well. I have never seen white powder. This is supposed to be clean breathable air. Take it to the shop and ask them is my advice.