Maya Ellison
When working with plastics, it is important to be aware of how acetone affects them. Acetone can damage, soften, smear, or even dissolve certain plastics. This is because the chemical makeup of these plastics is too similar to acetone for them to resist its effects. Therefore, it is crucial to consult a plastic chemical resistance chart before choosing a material for any project. While some plastics, such as polystyrene and ABS, are easily dissolved by acetone, others like PTFE (Teflon) and polypropylene exhibit strong resistance. Additionally, applying a chemical-resistant thin film to a clear plastic sheet can provide protection against acetone.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastics similar to acetone | Polystyrene, ABS, PMMA, cellulose acetate, polypropylene |
| Plastics resistant to acetone | PTFE (Teflon), Makrolon AR2 |
| Effect of acetone on plastics | Surface damage, softening, smearing, dissolving |
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What You'll Learn
Polystyrene is easily dissolved in acetone
Polystyrene is a plastic that is easily dissolved in acetone. Acetone is a good solvent and polystyrene foam easily dissolves in it. Polystyrene is also soluble in other well-known and stronger solvents such as toluene.
A demonstration of this chemical reaction involves pouring acetone into a measuring glass and slowly immersing pieces of polystyrene foam in it. The polystyrene foam will lose its structure as it absorbs the acetone and releases the air contained within it, causing its volume to decrease. This process is similar to how sugar dissolves in hot water.
The chemical reaction between polystyrene and acetone can also be observed by placing polystyrene beads, packing peanuts, chunks of foam, or a Styrofoam cup in a container with acetone. The Styrofoam will dissolve in the acetone, revealing how much air is in the Styrofoam. This experiment is often used to demonstrate the solubility of polystyrene in an organic solvent and can be performed safely with proper eye protection and ventilation.
While polystyrene is easily dissolved in acetone, other plastics such as PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), commonly known as Teflon, are known for their chemical resistance to acetone. Additionally, plastics like acrylic and polycarbonate may turn cloudy upon contact with acetone, but they do not dissolve. Therefore, it is important to consider the specific properties and requirements of a project when choosing a plastic material that interacts with acetone.
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Acrylics and polycarbonate turn cloudy on contact with acetone
When choosing a plastic for a custom part, it is important to know how acetone affects different plastics. Acetone is quite good at dissolving polymers, and some plastics will be severely damaged by acetone, especially at high concentrations and over long periods of time.
Acrylic and polycarbonate are two types of plastic that turn cloudy on contact with acetone. Acrylic, also known as perspex or PMMA, is often used in experiments as acetone is effective in dissolving superglue, which is chemically similar. Polycarbonate, on the other hand, can be made more resistant to acetone by applying a chemical-resistant thin film to its surface. One example of this is Makrolon AR2, which has a proprietary coating that provides resistance to acetone for more than 24 hours.
Another option for an acetone-resistant plastic is PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), commonly known as Teflon. PTFE is known for its chemical resistance and maintains its clarity when exposed to acetone.
It is worth noting that while some plastics may not dissolve when exposed to acetone, there may still be minor effects. For example, ABS, a type of plastic often used in 3D printing, can be softened by acetone, resulting in a rough surface. Therefore, it is important to consult a plastic chemical resistance chart before choosing a material for your project.
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Makrolon AR2 is polycarbonate with a coating that resists acetone
When choosing a plastic for custom parts, it is important to consider how acetone affects different plastics. Acetone can severely damage the surface of plastics with similar chemical makeups, softening, smearing, or even dissolving them.
One plastic that is resistant to acetone is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), commonly known as Teflon. PTFE is known for its chemical resistance and is transparent, making it a good option for maintaining a clean and visible workspace.
Another acetone-resistant plastic is Makrolon AR2. Makrolon AR2 is polycarbonate with a proprietary coating that resists acetone for over 24 hours. This coating also provides Makrolon AR2 with superior abrasion resistance and a glass-like surface hardness. The sheets feature a clear, two-sided hard-coat finish that protects against physical force, chemicals, and spray paint. Makrolon AR2 is ideal for applications requiring optical clarity, high-impact strength, and a smooth appearance.
Makrolon polycarbonate, in general, is extremely robust, lightweight, and impact-resistant, even at low temperatures. It has excellent heat resistance, with a glass transition temperature of up to 148°C, and is easily molded. Makrolon polycarbonate is used in a diverse range of applications, including medical devices, automotive headlamps, sporting equipment, electronics, and architectural glazing.
Some plastics that are not resistant to acetone and can be dissolved by it include ABS, polystyrene, and acrylics (perspex/PMMA).
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PTFE (Teflon) is a chemical-resistant plastic that resists acetone
When choosing a plastic for custom parts, it is important to consider how acetone affects different plastics. Acetone can cause anything from minor to severe effects on plastics, with some soft plastics even dissolving in acetone.
One plastic that is known to resist acetone is PTFE (Teflon), or polytetrafluoroethylene. PTFE is a thermoplastic polymer that is a white solid at room temperature, with a density of about 2200 kg/m3 and a melting point of 600 K (327°C; 620°F). It is known for its chemical resistance, including resistance to acetone. PTFE maintains its properties due to the aggregate effect of carbon-fluorine bonds, which are affected only by highly reactive metals like alkali metals, aluminium, and magnesium, as well as certain fluorinating agents.
PTFE is widely used due to its high strength, toughness, flexibility, and self-lubrication at a wide range of temperatures. It is also chemically inert and non-reactive, making it ideal for use in containers, tubing, and coatings in laboratory environments. PTFE is also used in industrial air filters, thread seal tape in plumbing, and carbon fibre composites in the aerospace industry.
In addition to its chemical resistance, PTFE is transparent and available in various thicknesses, including sheets. This makes it a good choice for creating a clear, acetone-resistant barrier in applications such as epoxy flooring.
While PTFE is notable for its resistance to acetone, it is not the only plastic that can withstand acetone. According to Plastics International's Chemical Resistance Chart, Makrolon AR2, a polycarbonate with a proprietary coating, has a resistance of over 24 hours to acetone.
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Acetal is affected by acetone
In organic chemistry, acetal is a functional group with the connectivity R2C(OR')2. The R groups can be organic fragments or hydrogen, while the R' groups must be organic fragments, not hydrogen. Acetal is formed from aldehydes or ketones and has the same oxidation state at the central carbon. However, it has different chemical stability and reactivity compared to analogous carbonyl compounds.
Acetal, also known as polyacetal or polyoxymethylene (POM) plastic, is affected by acetone. While acetal won't dissolve when exposed to acetone, there will be at least a minor effect if it comes into contact with the chemical. Regular contact with acetone will result in a limited life for acetal parts. Acetone can damage the surface of acetal, softening, smearing, or even dissolving the plastic, especially at high concentrations and over long periods.
When choosing a plastic for custom parts or projects, it is crucial to consider acetone's potential impact on the material. While some properties may recommend a particular plastic, other factors, such as chemical resistance, can rule it out. Consulting a plastic chemical resistance chart can help determine the suitability of different plastics for specific applications.
Some plastics that are known to be affected by acetone include acrylics, polycarbonate, and ABS. These plastics can turn cloudy or be dissolved when exposed to acetone. Polystyrene is another plastic easily dissolved by acetone and other strong solvents.
To prevent acetone's adverse effects on plastics, certain acetone-resistant materials can be considered. PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), commonly known as Teflon, exhibits excellent chemical resistance, including resistance to acetone. It maintains its clarity and is available in various thicknesses, making it a suitable choice for specific applications. Additionally, coatings such as Makrolon AR2 can provide acetal with extended resistance to acetone.
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Frequently asked questions
There are no plastics that are chemically similar to acetone. However, acetone is known to dissolve certain plastics like ABS, polystyrene, and acrylics.
Polypropylene (PP) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), commonly known as Teflon, are known for their resistance to acetone. Makrolon AR2, a polycarbonate with a proprietary coating, also offers >24hr resistance to acetone.
PTFE is a clear plastic that is known for its chemical resistance, including resistance to acetone. However, it is not available in sheet stock around 1/8" or 1/4" thickness. Polypropylene is another option, but it is typically used for thinner packaging material.
Yes, you can cast your own sheet using a mold from a chemical-resistant 2-part epoxy. This process involves using difunctional or polyfunctional amine hardeners, which provide chemical and temperature resistance.
