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 Replies: 16 / Views: 2,881 |
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Valued Member
United States
354 Posts |
I had a small amount of acetone in a 2" plastic container, been there for a week or more. Today I was trying to clean some gunk off a magnifier lens with the acetone. It didn't help. But shortly after the lid on the contain blew off. Not once but twice. First time I was out of the room, noticed the lid missing, found on floor, replaced on container. Second time I saw it happen. I have since emptied the contents outside as a precaution. huh?  |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
6543 Posts |
I'm a little surprised that the acetone didn't eat that "Tupperware" up
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Pillar of the Community
United States
9792 Posts |
Acetone should only be used in a glass or ceramic container, pure acetone will eat through many plastics some quickly others not so fast but eventually it should go through, possible the fume (which are all acetone) are eating away at the edge of the lid area, hence why the lid comes off.
As acetone eats the plastics it may end up the residue ends up on the coin surface. I always rinse in a clean acetone. It's not too expensive (as chemicals go) so I don't reuse it either.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
634 Posts |
Acetone has a low boiling point and a high vapor pressure. In a warm room with a lid not sealed securely it can build up pressure and blow the lid off.
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Moderator
United States
188320 Posts |
Quote:
I'm a little surprised that the acetone didn't eat that "Tupperware" up Quote:
Acetone should only be used in a glass or ceramic container...  |
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Valued Member
Canada
363 Posts |
Ahhhhhh.. the old acetone debate.
I have to say on certain plastics it clearly has no effect...mine comes in a 'plastic' bottle so I'm sure it isn't sold in containers that will eventually fail due to its contents.
When it's active outside of a sealed container definitely in glass or ceramic and vented area.
Oh yes single use..no double dipping.
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Valued Member
 United States
354 Posts |
All good points. I'll find a glass jar for use. I'll toss the plastic container.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
7940 Posts |
Quote:
Acetone has a low boiling point and a high vapor pressure. In a warm room with a lid not sealed securely it can build up pressure and blow the lid off. Exactly. There is no problem with acetone reacting with the polypropylene container you show. Acetone is sold in plastic bottles at the pharmacy near me (but it has a screw cap, which prevents the top from coming off in the way your describe). It is not "eating through" anything. As pointed out in the quote, acetone has a high vaopor pressure. If you have it in a lightly enclosed container where the temperature will exceed, say, 75 degrees, you can expect to get exactly what you got! That's why it is sold in containers with screw caps. Finally, never store chemicals in unlabeled containers. That's a recipe for a bad outcome. Edited by tdziemia
10/04/2023 07:29 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5182 Posts |
Depends on the plastic. I wouldn't use acetone on acrylics (e.g. Plexiglas), but on Teflon it's fine.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7940 Posts |
Good point.
"Tupperware" style containers that are translucent are made from polyolefins, which are not altered by acetone, but as you point out, other plastics could be affected by acetone.
A good practice would be to keep a used bottle (acetone or rubbing alcohol) with its screw cap, and label it "waste acetone" or "used acetone."
Keep the fresh acetone in the bottle it came in, and put the used acetone in the other one. As pointed out by others, I usually pour a small amount out into a small glass dish. If it will sit out for a while, I put a scrap of aluminum foil over it. When I'm done, the used stuff goes in the bottle.
Edited by tdziemia
10/04/2023 07:35 am
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CCF Advertiser
United States
1533 Posts |
Polypropylene won't be dissolved by acetone, but some of the formulation components will leach out like antioxidants and will end up depositing on the coins if you rinse with it. A low boiler like acetone will build pressure if the temperature goes up a few degrees which is why the top keeps popping off. Its flash point is low and its lower explosion limit is about 2% in air, it hugs the ground so is near electrical outlets. You are creating a hazard for yourself by storing it like that.
Edited by Andrew99
10/10/2023 09:12 am
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Valued Member
United States
354 Posts |
One final point. As stated, I tossed the plastic container and seeking a small glass jar with lid. Like the processed garlic jars. Or a small metal jar like the ammo for pellet guns come in. I want small so I'm not tempted to double dip the used acetone and can dispose of it immediately after use. But only large enough to hold a 40mm (or so) round.
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Moderator
United States
95806 Posts |
When you find a jar with a lid - check that lid to see if it has a soft rubber seal on it. The acetone fumes will eat away at that and the rubber seal will drop into the acetone fluid and contaminate it.
I have a jar with that kind of seal, but I place Foil over the jar first, then the lid.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3848 Posts |
To prevent evaporation, I would not hermetically seal the container, and would rather flip the jar lid upside down and place it on the top of the opening. There will be slow evaporation over a long period of time but there will be no pressure buildup.
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Moderator
United States
95806 Posts |
Well if it were the Tupperware® then the lid will still pop off, and the contents would then spill everywhere before it evaporated..
If it were a jar with that compound (not sure what it is made of) that is on the lid that is used to create a good seal would dissolve and contaminate the coin even more.
I'll get an image of the jar I had been using and the sealant on the lid when I get home to show this.
Edited by Dearborn
10/16/2023 09:25 am
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Moderator
United States
54281 Posts |
Any chance it was where sunlight could get on it?
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Replies: 16 / Views: 2,881 |
Posted 10/03/2023 4:46 pm
