In article <Xns9788DBDA09F28tegger@207.14.113.17>,
"TeGGeR®" <tegger@tegger.c0m> wrote:

> "Michael Pardee" <michaeltnull@cybertrails.com> wrote in
> news:34udnW8YX54hhofZnZ2dnUVZ_vidnZ2d@sedona.net:
>
> >
> > "Grumpy AuContraire" <Grumpster@GrumpyvilleNOT.com> wrote in message
> > news:4419AB76.117B2581@GrumpyvilleNOT.com...
> >>
> >> What about bead blasting? Of course, if the enclosed silicon is
> >> kaput, you're SOL...
> >>
> >> JT
> >>
> >> (Who appreciates parts recycling (back to me) whenever possible)
> >
> > I think that would doom the sensor. My understanding is they are a
> > porous zirconia cup with platinum film inside and outside to create
> > the electrodes.
> >
>
>
> Yep.
> http://www.dynacer.com/oxygen_sensors.htm
>
> Bead blasting would destroy the outer platinum. And you'd then not have the
> ability of electron flow, which requires both an anode and a cathode...
>
> I wonder if pure heat and no chemicals would do it, if you could heat up
> the element enough to burn off contaminants? Platinum melts at 3,200F.
> Exhaust gas in the combustion chamber is about 2,300F.

I tried that on a really dead sensor. The buildup melts when it's white
hot.