Dry Ice/ Acetone and PVC

[i4Marc]

Are there any concerns with using a PVC tube as a container for suspending a blade in a dry ice and acetone solution?

 

[Drew Riley]

I wouldn't. I believe that over a period of time, the acetone may dissolve the PVC.

 

[12345678910]

Or the plastic pipe gets brittle in the cold

 

[Chuck Gedraitis Knives]

I think that the pipe would freeze and crack spilling your mixture all over and creating a hazardous environment.

 

[jimh0220]

Or the plastic pipe gets brittle in the cold

My guess too. Buy some dry ice, and drop it in. You'll find out pretty quick.

Maybe PEX?

 

[Nathan the Machinist]

Plastic and acetone don't mix. Or, actually, they do mix. PVC will dissolve in acetone and deposit a plastic film on your blades. You can buy a metal bucket at Lowes. I use an old aluminum ice tea pitcher.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Just use any metal container you have around. It won't be affected, so even a cooking pot will work.

 

[i4Marc]

Great. Thanks everybody.

 

[CaptBeach]

Exploring around the forum, FIRST post...I met BladeSmith today while buying some wood for scales...he got me on here...GREAT GUY...

As far as your issue...I can assure you that the Acetone WILL cause failure...it will first attack the glue that you used to cap the pipe to make a container, then attack the PVC itself...on top of that the Dry Ice poses the possibility of freezing the entire assembly and making it extremely brittle it then cracking or worse shattering spilling flammable gassy liquid just looking for an ignition source...if you going to do a lot of it consider investing in an Asparagus pot...tall thin stainless steel with a lid to seal in the cold, reduce the amount of acetone gassing off and probably do a great job for you...you can find one in the kitchenware section of most good stores...not expensive either...