Quote:
Originally Posted by ah-kay
Hydrochloric acid will dissolve iron. If you want to take a long view then water will do the same  . I used pool acid and it was a success. It took some aluminum off but it was because I left the acid in there for too long. It is definitely doable as I did it successfully. As I have said, it is the last resort. |
Of course hydrochloric acid will dissolve iron, and it will also dissolve aluminum (violently) once it has penetrated the outer layer of aluminum oxide. Your success (to use your term) came from the degradation of the aluminum which loosened the fit between it and the drill bit. New tapping for a larger bolt is strongly recommended.