What is polystyrene made of?
Polystyrene is made by stringing together, or polymerizing, styrene, a building-block chemical used in the manufacture of many products.
What do lacquers and polyurethane have in common?
One thing both lacquers and polyurethane have in common is the potential to cause harm. Each possesses the potential for explosions, fire and health concerned when inhaled or allowed to be absorbed through the skin. It is absolutely essential that such work is performed in an extremely well-ventilated area and the vapors kept from inhalation.
What is polystyrene used for in packaging?
Polystyrene in Packaging. Polystyrene (solid and foam) is widely used to protect consumer products. CD and DVD cases, foam packaging peanuts for shipping, food packaging, meat/poultry trays and egg cartons typically are made with polystyrene to protect against damage or spoilage.
What is lacquer thinner made from?
What is Lacquer Thinner Made From? 1 Acetone 2 Butyl Acetate 3 Methyl Ethyl Ketone 4 Toluene 5 Xylene
Can lacquer thinner melt Styrofoam?
Anyway, the lacquer thinner melts the Styrofoam. Keep adding the Styrofoam until the mixture starts to gel, then add a bit more thinner to get the mix back to a liquid, well, a thinner liquid, anyway. It will produce a lot of bubbles in the beginning - Don't cap the bottle tightly.
Can you make your own lacquer?
A simple way to make Homemade Lacquer that actually works from two common ingredients. All you need is two simple ingredients: polystyrene foam (like the packing styrofoam that surrounds electronics in the box) and common thinner – all-purpose thinner/lacquer thinner.
How do you liquify polystyrene?
All you need to do is to pour a bit of acetone into a bowl, and place Styrofoam beads, packing peanuts, chunks of foam, or even a Styrofoam cup in the container. The Styrofoam will dissolve in the acetone much like sugar dissolves in hot water.
What does Styrofoam and acetone make?
Styrofoam dissolves in acetone in a similar way to how sugar dissolves in water. It is a physical rather than a chemical reaction. The air in the foam leaves, and because Styrofoam consists mainly of air, when it dissolves in acetone it completely loses its structure.
Is lacquer same as clear coat?
Clear enamels dry and cure on top of the painted surface. They contain solvent agents that evaporate once the surface is dry and cause a chemical reaction with the surface that makes the surface hard. Lacquers, on the other hand, dry but technically speaking, they do not cure.
How do you make a lacquer finish?
5:288:54How To Paint With Lacquer : Tutorial - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's going to be taking care of it in between the stages. So after this is dried for about an hour IMoreIt's going to be taking care of it in between the stages. So after this is dried for about an hour I'm going to come back with 400 grit sandpaper. And lightly come over it all over my finish.
What is the best solvent for polystyrene?
Tetrahydrofuran is a good solvent for polystyrene, even for room temerpature dissolution....Soluble in most organic solvents,benzene,chloroform,carbon tetrachloride propanone (acetone),DMF,DMSO,tetrahydrofuran (THF),gasoline, &toluene.More items...
What can you do with old polystyrene?
10 ways to reuse polystyreneUse as drainage in the base of plant pots. ... Create your own presentation mounts. ... Make your own superglue. ... Use as insulation (with caution) ... Keep polystyrene packing materials for reuse. ... Use as raised beds for a patio. ... Get junk modelling with the smaller members of your family. ... Create outdoor bunting.More items...•
Is it safe to melt polystyrene?
Burning Styrofoam, or polystyrene, is the least appropriate way to get rid of it for both people and the environment. Research has shown that when Styrofoam is burned it releases toxic chemicals and smoke that can damage the nervous system and lungs.
Is it bad to melt Styrofoam in acetone?
Acetone is a relatively non-polar solvent (as compared to water, which is highly polar), and Styrofoam is made from polystyrene and foam. Due to their similar polarities, acetone can dissolve the carbon-hydrogen bonds of Styrofoam.
Can you touch acetone and Styrofoam?
Any surface of the styrofoam touching acetone will dissolve. SAFETY NOTE: Now here is a bit of a caution. These are strong chemicals with a lot of fumes. We opened windows and had our kitchen fan on filtering out the air as we did this experiment.
What happens when you mix gasoline and Styrofoam?
"When you mix Styrofoam (extruded polystyrene) with gasoline, the Styrofoam breaks down. All the air inside escapes, and it becomes a wet, gooey mess. If left out to dry, it gets hard again, but not like before, without the air - it resembels plastic."
What do public health organizations say about polystyrene foodservice packaging?
Public health officials encourage the use of sanitary, single-use foodservice packaging (such as polystyrene) in appropriate settings. Single-use f...
What do regulatory agencies say about the safety of polystyrene foodservice packaging?
In the United States, FDA strictly regulates all food packaging materials, including polystyrene. FDA has for decades stated that polystyrene is sa...
What do scientific experts say about the safety of polystyrene foodservice packaging?
From 1999 to 2002, a 12-member international expert panel selected by the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis conducted a comprehensive review of pote...
Is it common for substances from packaging to “migrate” into food?
All packaging – glass, aluminum, paper and plastics (such as polystyrene) – contains substances that can “migrate” in very tiny amounts to foods or...
Where does styrene come from?
Styrene occurs naturally in many foods and beverages. Its chemical structure is similar to cinnamic aldehyde, the chemical component that creates c...
How can people come into contact with styrene?
People can come into contact with styrene from the small amounts that may be present in air (primarily from automobile exhaust and cigarette smoke)...
What is Styrofoam made of?
Many people incorrectly use the name STYROFOAM® to refer to polystyrene in food service; STYROFOAM® is a registered trademark of The Dow Chemical C...
What are styrene uses?
For more than 70 years, styrene has been used as a chemical building block to make the materials used in a wide variety of finished consumer produc...
What is the difference between styrene and polystyrene?
The difference is chemistry. Styrene is a liquid that can be chemically linked to create polystyrene, a solid plastic that displays different prope...
What is extruded polystyrene foam?
Extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam is a rigid insulation that has also formed with polystyrene polymer, but manufactured using an extrusion process. T...
What are the properties of polystyrene?
Polystyrene is soluble in most chlorinated and aromatic solvents, though not in alcohols. It is impervious to most foods, drinks and household fluids. NOTE: The resins are attacked by gasoline, lacquer thinner, turpentine and citrus-fruit-rind oil. Characteristics include: 1 Good dimensional stability 2 Low cost 3 Good dielectric strength 4 Versatile and easy to process
Is polystyrene soluble in alcohol?
Its electrical properties are good, though it has relatively low heat resistance. Polystyrene is soluble in most chlorinated and aromatic solvents, though not in alcohols. It is impervious to most foods, drinks and household fluids.
Is polystyrene a good thermoplastic?
Polystyrene is a versatile thermoplastic that is available in a wide range of formulations. The range of properties available along with the ease of processing make polystyrene a good choice for many applications. Unmodified polystyrene is clear, rigid, brittle and moderately strong. Its electrical properties are good, though it has relatively low heat resistance.
When was polystyrene made?
Styrene monomer and the styrene resin made from the monomer were little more than chemical curiosities for eighty years after their discovery in 1845. Commercial production of the plastic began in 1925 in the U.S. and Germany. Today, polystyrene is the third largest selling plastic in the world.
What is the maximum temperature of a styrene?
Styrene's heat resistance is low compared to that of other thermoplastics; maximum continued service use is well under 200° F. Some of the copolymers have a heat deflection temperature about 20° F higher than other polystyrenes.
What is lacquer made of?
Lacquers are resin-based solutions emulsified (made into liquid) by solvents (oils) which dry into a hard transparent film when exposed to air. The term "lacquer" often is confused and sometimes used synonymously with the term "varnish.". But, where lacquers harden simply through the evaporation of their liquid solvens into the air, ...
What are the potentials of lacquers?
POTENTIAL FOR HARM. One thing both lacquers and polyurethane have in common is the potential to cause harm. Each possesses the potential for explosions, fire and health concerned when inhaled or allowed to be absorbed through the skin.
How long does varnish take to dry?
That is why varnishes can take as long as a month to "dry" thoroughly. Lacquers do not require any additional molecules to become hard; once the solvent evaporates the resins solidify. That is why lacquers dry so quickly -- within 5 to 10 minutes -- and why the reintroduction of solvents (lacquer thinners) reconstitutes a dry, lacquered surface.
How long does it take for polyurethane to dry?
The polymers within liquid polyurethane start to bind and harden as the liquid (solvent or acrylic) dries. A single coat of polyurethane takes eight to 24 hours to dry thoroughly. You can never reconstitute polyurethane once it has hardened. Professional wood finishers, who work on fine wood furniture, almost exclusively use lacquers.
How much does it cost to apply lacquer?
At a minimum, this will cost approximately $500.
Does lacquer need to be brushed on?
In its totality, the use of lacquer saves a great deal of time and effort. First, among its many economic advantages, finishers spray lacquer; they do not brush it on. The spraying method is the fastest means of covering a surface; some finishers will spray six or more applications of lacquer within an eight-hour workday.
Is polyurethane a plastic?
As its name implies, polyurethane is a plastic. Chemically speaking, polyurethane finishing products are actual repeating chains of polymers that exposed to air become a super hard, transparent material. They can be solvent (oil) or water (acrylic) based. The polymers within liquid polyurethane start to bind and harden as the liquid ...
Why add thinner to lacquer?
Adding a small amount of thinner makes the lacquer flow better to create a finish that is smooth, glossy, and free of streaks. It is also used to move adhesives and inks from different types of surfaces. Lacquer thinner should be added a little at a time to produce the right consistency.
What is the difference between lacquer and paint thinner?
The basic difference between the paint thinner and a lacquer thinner lies in the differences in their chemical composition and flammability. Since lacquer thinner is richer in volatile hydrocarbons and light molecules (that vaporizes easily), it’s more volatile and flammable compared to paint thinners.
What is a paint reducer?
Paint reducer (in automotive paint industry) is different than lacquer thinner. The main difference lies in the type of paint that can be thinned and is being applied. While thinners are generally meant for lacquer-based paints, reducers are designed to be used for urethane-based paints.
What is paint thinner made of?
As mentioned before, it usually contains solvents like xylene, acetone, toluene, and methyl ethyl ketone which are made up of lighter molecules. Also, due to the fact that the molecules in the paint thinner are heavier (usually because of the Stoddard solvent it includes), it carries an oily texture.
How to remove sheen from plastic?
The best way to remove the sheen is by putting the thinner into a spray device. Apply the thinner evenly across the surface, let it sit momentarily, then remove. In addition to the sheen, it also removes residues from plastic or cement surfaces.
Is lacquer thinner bad for you?
Although lacquer thinners aren’t bad for your skin, they can definitely cause annoyance due to issues like redness, mild cracks, or spot-specific dryness. Ingredients in lacquer thinner are labeled hazardous and hence if it gets on your skin you should wash off your skin immediately with soap and water.
Can you use mineral spirits as a degreaser?
Mineral spirits and lacquer thinners can be used as degreaser as well. Because its lighter than most chain lubes, you can use them for cleaning your drivetrain. If you need to remove tar, grease, or tree sap, then also lacquer thinner is perfect for the job.
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Overview
Structure
In chemical terms, polystyrene is a long chain hydrocarbon wherein alternating carbon centers are attached to phenyl groups (a derivative of benzene). Polystyrene's chemical formula is (C 8H 8) n; it contains the chemical elements carbon and hydrogen.
The material's properties are determined by short-range van der Waals attractio…
History
Polystyrene was discovered in 1839 by Eduard Simon, an apothecary from Berlin. From storax, the resin of the Oriental sweetgum tree Liquidambar orientalis, he distilled an oily substance, a monomer that he named styrol. Several days later, Simon found that the styrol had thickened into a jelly he dubbed styrol oxide ("Styroloxyd") because he presumed an oxidation. By 1845 Jamaican-born chemist John Buddle Blyth and German chemist August Wilhelm von Hofmann sh…
Degradation
Polystyrene is relatively chemically inert. While it is waterproof and resistant to breakdown by many acids and bases, it is easily attacked by many organic solvents (e.g. it dissolves quickly when exposed to acetone), chlorinated solvents, and aromatic hydrocarbon solvents. Because of its resilience and inertness, it is used for fabricating many objects of commerce. Like other organic compounds, polystyrene burns to give carbon dioxide and water vapor, in addition to othe…
Forms produced
Polystyrene is commonly injection molded, vacuum formed, or extruded, while expanded polystyrene is either extruded or molded in a special process. Polystyrene copolymers are also produced; these contain one or more other monomers in addition to styrene. In recent years the expanded polystyrene composites with cellulose and starch have also been produced. Polystyrene i…
Co-polymers
Ordinary (homopolymeric) polystyrene has an excellent property profile about transparency, surface quality and stiffness. Its range of applications is further extended by copolymerization and other modifications (blends e.g. with PC and syndiotactic polystyrene). Several copolymers are used based on styrene: The crispiness of homopolymeric polystyrene is overcome by elastomer-modified styrene-butadiene copolymers. Copolymers of styrene and acrylonitrile (SAN) are mor…
Environmental issues
Polystyrene foams are produced using blowing agents that form bubbles and expand the foam. In expanded polystyrene, these are usually hydrocarbons such as pentane, which may pose a flammability hazard in manufacturing or storage of newly manufactured material, but have relatively mild environmental impact. Extruded polystyrene is usually made with hydrofluorocarbons (HFC-134a), whi…
Safety
The American Chemistry Council, formerly known as the Chemical Manufacturers' Association, writes:
Based on scientific tests over five decades, government safety agencies have determined that polystyrene is safe for use in foodservice products. For example, polystyrene meets the stringent standards of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Commission/European Fo…