Nitric acid? Protect your door with the Magnetic Defender^®

The latest technological innovations in the construction of cylinders and locks make it possible to create increasingly secure and innovative devices that are extremely difficult to tamper with or attack using traditional burglary methods. 

However, there are new techniques developed by house burglars to circumvent the new security systems. One of the most recent is the use of nitric acid to corrode the internal mechanisms of cylinders and locks.

In this article, we find out what this is and what is the most effective technique to defend your front door.

How the acid attack works

Nitric acid (HNO₃) is a mineral compound that is highly corrosive to the metals most often used in the construction of internal components of cylinders and locks, such as brass.

Simply dripping the right amount of acid with the help of a syringe into the keyway is enough to cause it to corrode the pins and springs of cylinders or the gorges of double bitted locks to destroy the operating mechanism. Then the lock can be easily forced with the help of any tool, such as a screwdriver.

There are metals that have a high resistance to the action of nitric acid (such as stainless steel), which are used for the construction of the pins of some high-security cylinders (such as Mottura's CHAMPIONS^® cylinders), but this does not prevent the inserted acid from also causing damage to the armoured door structure and the floor underneath.

To reduce this risk as well, the best solution would be to close the keyway completely so that there is no insertion point for the syringe.

Defend your lock with a magnetic Defender^®

The Defender^® is our armoured protection that shields the cylinder against the main break-in attempts, such as picking, drilling and bumping (we have discussed this in more detail in this article).

In its magnetic version, we have achieved an even higher level of protection not only against traditional attacks, but also against acid attacks.

In fact, a special cover plate is added to the traditional structure of a mechanical model, which completely closes off the keyway. 

In order to free the entrance hole, a special magnetic key must be inserted to rotate the Defender's body. For added security, the magnetic key comes with a property card and can only be duplicated in Mottura Clubs, our authorised partners.

Our magnetic Defenders^® are available in different versions and security levels, as well as in seven different finishes. Contact one of our authorized centers and choose the solution that best suits your needs.