Help with disassembling ferrite pot core transformer

[CarlosT]

I was wondering if anyone has encountered this problem before. I have a high frequency ferrite pot core transformer that I believe was salvaged out of an old CISCO router switch mode power supply. I love these cores, they're ideal for making impulse power supply transformers. However, my pot core halves are stuck together with what appears to be some kind of resin or glue. It's black in color, semi-hard and seems to have bonded the core halves together real well. I have tried to soak it in nail polish remover overnight but to no avail. Paint thinner had only marginal success. I guess ordinary gasoline is next.

Has anyone run into this kind of problem before? What did you do to get the halves to separate? Does anyone know what stuff this is?

If there's a solution, this could open a door into re-using not only pots but also the E cores which are by far more common, every PC power supply has one. :)

Thanks, Carlos

[hadihf]

Have u tried heat...I once opened a core by applying a little olive oil and frying at low heat :D

[AndyOne]

Carlos,

Try paint stripper AKA methylene chloride or brake fluid.

What ever disolves the glue best will probably take several days to wick into a very thin glue line.

Andy.

[CarlosT]

Thanks guys for ideas. I haven't tried olive oil but I boiled one core in water. That only started to melt the plastic bobbin inside so I stopped. Paint stripper, no that's an idea. This stuff eats away anything, hehe. I'll give it a try!!!
I break fluid really that active, I mean chemically???

Thanks, Carlos.