Erik wrote in news:spam-E12698.02131918022010 @news.dslextreme.com:
Curious if the white paint is significant. I understand painting the usual bare metal found at the ends of the bar for corrosion staining on linens but is the color meaningful in some way?
Quite possibly. Many alkaline cells have a very different construction from the older plain-vanilla (Leclance) cells. The Leclance cell has a carbon rod in the middle, a zinc can, and manganese dioxide plus ammonium chloride in between. Many alkaline cells use a can pressed from carbon and whatnot, a zinc rod in the middle, and an alkaline mixture containing fine zinc between. Dropping an alkaline cell might fracture that outside can, leading to leakage.
Please wear good rubber gloves and proper eye protection before attempting to saw open an alkaline cell. The KOH in those cells is nothing to snicker at.
The old carbon cells. If you pull them apart, the zinc can comes apart fairly easily with diagonal side cutting pliers. The carbon rod is good for writing on sidewalks. And the manganese dioxide will make your Mom yell at you about the mess (this, I know...)
Never been urged to saw open an alkaline cell. I'm sure you are right.
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