On 7/1/2011 3:32 AM, Wilbur H. wrote:

This might help.
How to Clean Alkaline Battery Corrosion?
http://www.corrosionist.com/clean_al..._corrosion.htm

It seems the culprit is Potassium Hydroxide (KOH), also known as caustic
potash. The solution, says that web site, is vinnegar.


Just for the heck of it, I'd entertained the idea of getting my D-cell
leaked-battery maglite open one day. I'd already put a ton of force on it with
a pipe wrench (while not crushing it) but that didn't work.

I wonder if vinegar would penetrate? If I did eventually get it open, would I
be able to get the batteries out by drilling or whatever?