This kind of etching will happen fairly slowly in saltwater without the addition of electricity, but electricity speeds it up mightily, for three reasons. The iron then reacts with hydroxide ions in water, forming insoluble iron hydroxides and liberating the chloride ions to attack more iron. Both are soluble in water and dissolve, leaving a pit behind. The exact mechanism of action is complicated, but the short story is that the chlorine ion disrupts the oxide, allowing iron chlorides (FeCl 2 and FeCl 3) to be formed. Not many substances can break this protective seal of chromium oxide, but a chlorine ion (chloride, Cl -) can. Like iron, chromium does oxidize, but when it does, it forms chromium oxide, a sticky, protective, clear coating on the steel that prevents further oxidation. Stainless steel, however, contains additional elements, notably chromium. Like ordinary steel, stainless steel contains iron, which notoriously oxidizes when exposed to air, forming rust. Stainless steel gets its name from the fact that it doesn’t corrode-but that’s not strictly true. Congratulations: You’ve just etched metal via electrically induced corrosion. They are constructed from materials with low electrical resistance such as solid copper and are insulated.As you will see, the stainless steel becomes cloudy and pitted wherever it’s touched by the cotton swab, but remains unchanged under the electrical tape. Plier clips can be used for jumper cables, battery chargers and welding applications. They can also be referred to as plier clips, plier style clips or battery clamps. They are also utilised by hobbyists to hold things together for gluing or modelling.What are automotive clips?Larger sized crocodile clips are typically used in the automotive industry. They are often used in educational settings to help demonstrate light bulbs, circuitry and batteries.Crocodile clips and alligator clips can also be used for holding identification badges onto lanyards, or for dentistry bibs. They are incredibly useful in laboratories or experimental circuits. Clips can be used to connect two wires or to connect one lead directly to a device.

Gold plating wears fairly easily, so you should only use this type of clip in situations where a large number of cycles are not required.Copper crocodile clips are suited to applications that require excellent electrical conduction.What are crocodile clips and alligator clips used for?Crocodile clips and alligator clips are most commonly used for making temporary electrical connections. Gold plated steel crocodile clips are typically more expensive than other steel counterparts but ideal for applications that require a low level of resistance and a high level of conductivity. However, stainless steel can be a difficult material to solder, which you may need to take into consideration when choosing the right crocodile clip for your application.Nickel plated steel is also suited to a wide range of industries and (like stainless steel) provides you with excellent corrosion resistance.

Discover more about the different types of crocodile clips and their uses in our crocodile clips guide.What are the benefits of crocodile clips made from different materials?Crocodile clips can be constructed from a variety of metals, but the most common are steel (stainless, nickel plated or gold plated) and copper.Stainless steel is incredibly hard wearing and resistant to corrosion, making it a popular choice for crocodile clips. Crocodile clips are typically serrated and have small teeth. Crocodile Clips Crocodile clips, also known as alligator clips, are spring loaded clips made from metal.

Stainless steel alligator clips