White residue on router bases

[Michael Grishman]

I recently took out my router from my shop drawer after a few months of not using it. When I took out my router bases they were covered with this white residue. I accidentally touched it and my arm immediately broke out in an ugly rash. (rash went away shortly after washing up) Has this happened to anyone? Does anyone know what it is and how to prevent it?
Thanks

[Frank Pratt]

Wow, that's a new one. How much humidity do you have?

[Doug Garson]

Do you remember what you routed last? It looks like it might be the debris from whatever was routed.

[Frank Pratt]

That looks like some kind of crystalline growth resulting from a reaction between some chemical & the aluminum, maybe exacerbated by high humidity.

[Tim Janssen]

That looks like aluminum oxide to me and if I interpret the pictures correctly, it is only on the machined surfaces of the base. The rest of the surface of the aluminum base is anodized, protecting the surface.
My guess!,
Cheers,

Tim

[Rick Potter]

Man, where do you live? Atlantis?

Only place I have seen aluminum corrosion like this was outdrive parts on old boats.

[David L Morse]

I've seen something that looked like that. It was Aluminum Chloride. The little whiskers grow when there's high humidity and a little bit of Chlorine in the air. Did you have a source of Chlorine stored nearby? Pool chemicals, mortar cleaner, and some toilet bowel cleaners all contain Hydrochloric Acid, (aka Muriatic Acid). Bleach and the many household cleaners containing it will also put some Chlorine in the air. If you have enough humidity (especially if you sometimes get condensation) and any of those chemicals stored in the same cabinet with your tools there could be a problem. Copper is also vulnerable, it turns Green rather than growing whiskers.

[Ben Rivel]

Wow! Yet ANOTHER reason I am thankful I don't live in a high humidity area! I never hear anything but complaints about those areas effecting all areas of life!

[Patrick Kane]

That is wild, and if David's theory prove to be correct, then hes freaking Sherlock Holmes.

Touching it gave you a chemical burn?

[Bill Dufour]

Since we do not know where in the world you are can you give is a hint about your climate? It looks like "tin pest" to me caused by a cool damp climate. If it is below -40 in your shop It will happen in months not years.
Bill D

[Jacob Reverb]

It reminds me of the "cancer" corrosion that sometimes gets into magnesium, but it's not magnesium, is it? It's aluminum, right?

[Bill Dufour]

I doubt the base is pure aluminum. it is probably pot metal with more then enough tin and zinc to get tin disease.