All Questions
Tagged with everyday-chemistry plastics
26 questions
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Effect of heating alkyd enamel paint during drying/curing & maximum acceptable temperature
I will be painting some boat paddles with Solignum Marine Paint (Alkyd enamel) (compliant with new VOC regulations) for a relative. The label lists that it contains mineral spirits and Stoddard ...
- 111
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0
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28
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Permeability of plastics to alcohol vapour
I was just wondering which plastics have the lowest permeability to alcohol vapour?
I am thinking about purchasing 70% isopropyl wipes for infrequent use around the home and worry that they may dry up ...
- 11
5
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2
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250
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Why don't oils use plastic droppers?
As shown in the picture, most cosmetic oils and serums make use of glass droppers. However in the chemistry lab, scientists often also use reusable plastic droppers as well. My question was that, ...
- 1,513
4
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2
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785
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I left scented candles in a polypropylene container. How do I remove the smell?
I left scented candles in a polypropylene container, for many weeks.
How do I remove the smell?
I've tried:
Hand wash with Dish Soap (a few times)
Hand wipe with Isopropyl Alcohol (a few times)
...
- 73
0
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0
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50
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How does the heat-activated blowing agent in foaming plastic filament survive the manufacturing process?
Special 3D printer filaments are available with blowing agents mixed in. These blowing agents cause the filament to foam as it is extruded, causing the resulting structure to have a much lower density....
- 133
-1
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2
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1k
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How long can dimethyl sulfoxide be safely stored in a HDPE "barrier bottle"?
How long can dimethyl sulfoxide be contained in a HDPE barrier bottle without any reaction between the plastic and the solvent? I have read that DMSO is not reactive with HDPE, but I would like to ...
- 99
1
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1
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107
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Can large, sticky, sodium polyacrylate crystals be coated in a powder to facilitate handling?
I am separating a larger container of sodium polyacrylate crystals into smaller containers for student experiments. Commonly known as "Deco Cubes" and used by florists in decorations and ...
0
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83
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What is the difference between PEF and PTF bioplastics?
I am trying to research single use plastics replacements, and wanted to explain how PEF and PTF are a good choice. Although as I am researching I can't find clear information about them, also how they ...
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3
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0
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1k
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What does it mean "polyester doesn't breathe"?
Often people say buy a cotton shirt because cotton "breathes" but polyester doesn't. (i.e. it makes you hot sweaty).
What is the scientific meaning behind this? How does polyester trap the heat more ...
- 175
0
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2
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766
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What is the chemical reaction between coins (copper and nickel) and polyvinyl chloride?
I often carry coins in a cheap plastic sandwich bag. A green solid soon appears. Is it copper oxide? How is the polyvinyl chloride (or polyethylene or polypropylene) greatly accelerating the reaction?...
- 1,833
1
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125
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UV-Vis and Polylactid Acid (PLA) [closed]
I am trying to use UV-VIS for a 3D printed ~4mm PLA design. However I keep running into a problem because the polymer is not showing detectable under the UV-VIS. Does anyone have any suggestions that ...
- 19
-3
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3
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92
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Converting plastic back to bio-degradable substances [closed]
I have read that every plastic ever made still exists. Plastic must be made of some substances that are biodegradable. Even if they aren't, why can't we change their form? Why can't we change plastic ...
- 747
9
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2
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10k
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Is bamboo based plastic less likely to leak chemicals?
Some plastics have been known to leak plasticizers (bisphenol and phthalates) into the food they contain, especially when heated.
Because such compounds are suspected of being endocrine disruptors it ...
- 249
5
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1
answer
923
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Why are plastics lipophilic?
My wife prepares lunch for me every morning. After eating it on my desk, I typically wash the lunchbox and utensils in the company's kitchen.
I have noticed that it is very difficult to remove the ...
- 161
1
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0
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248
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Is Jell-O flavored plastic?
Per this article, "Gelatin is a thermoreversible, cold-setting polymer." Further, Jell-O is flavored gelatin.
Is the phrase "thermoreversible, cold-setting polymer" equivalent to the term "plastic?"
...
- 119
-1
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3
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80k
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Repairing acetone damage and discoloration to plastic
I used acetone on the back of my monitor to get rid of old stickers from LED strips. However it severely damaged my monitor. Anyway to undo this or repair it?
- 19
4
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2
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1k
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Tallow and polymer pellets
Bank of England has issued a new £5 note which contains Animal Tallow. I was wondering if you can explain to me as to how the animal tallow is used in this process. Also would you be able to speculate ...
3
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2
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1k
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What is the name of the crinkly plastic used in clear parts of envelopes?
I've always wondered what it is, as it makes a lot of noise on being deformed. No other common plastic that I've come across has quite the same properties.
- 1,514
2
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1
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542
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Supermarket HDPE plastic bags safety
Supermarket plastic bags are made of high density polyethylene, and I am interested in the decomposition products at high temperature: what type of compounds are released and how dangerous are they? I ...
- 123
3
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1
answer
880
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What's causing my plastic fork to break?
This has been a real mystery for me at work. For the past three days I've eaten salads for lunch. I used a plastic bowl with a lid and when I was finished with the salad, I didn't rinse out the bowl ...
- 39
2
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1
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12k
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What is the transparent film that covers water-soluble dishwasher tablets?
These dishwasher tablets (Finish Powerball Shine) seem to be covered in plastic!
But that can't possibly be true since there's no unwrapping, and they're completely soluble in water.
What is the ...
- 121
5
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3
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5k
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Can plastic leak into water from a HDPE "2" plastic container at room temperature?
Here in USA supermarkets often sell water in plastic 1 gallon jugs. These jugs seem to all be stamped with the text "HDPE" (meaning that the material is High-density polyethylene) and a resin number ...
user13112
1
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1
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80
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Suitability of liquid plastic resin for plumbing application
Which synthetic resins are suitable for fabrication of plumbing components e.g pipe sections?
I'm trying to find an easy way to mold/house/encase a custom designed data logger.
The water temperature ...
- 111
5
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1
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4k
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Chemically Speaking, What's Bad About Inhaling Plastics?
I hear about things like dioxin, but I really don't see what's dangerous about plastics-shouldn't you be ble to just breathe it out, or pass it out of your system? How would it cause cancer?
user1638
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2
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1k
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What are the common names of this two types of plastic?
I need to do some plastic molding design. I want to know the names/types of plastic which are commonly/widely used in industries (please see the pictures below).
- 295
15
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1
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50k
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What's that tangy smell on cheap plastic?
Most cheap items (from China mostly) have a strong tangy odor to the plastics (or some resin, but I can mostly smell it on plastics). The smell is always consistent over a broad range or products and ...
- 253