What should be the pH of aluminium sulphate (aluminium sulphate, Borax and salt) tanning solution. should I use this combination or replace borax with something else. THANKS
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I know it sounds trite, but it's in the archives had you looked. Many times people come on here with a self imposed emergency and await a NEW answer when the correct one is just a click away.
BUT to answer your questions, write this down.
Pickle pH 1 -2.5 The lower the better
Tanning pH 4 -5 Midrange is ideal
If you notice, I didn't make any comments on the chemicals you're using though I'd love to.
Instead of Borax - most Alum Tanners prefer to use Sodium Carbonate for adjusting the PH level. As a genral rule - the ideal tanning PH for an Alum solution is 3.8 PH. That is the PH where you can expect the maximum amount of Aluminum salt to "fix" to the protein fibers. At a lower PH - usually 2.78 PH - the mix, without adding any Sodium Carbonate, acts like a pickle.