j_sum1
Administrator
![*](images/xpblue/star.gif) ![*](images/xpblue/star.gif) ![*](images/xpblue/star.gif) ![*](images/xpblue/star.gif) ![*](images/xpblue/star.gif) ![*](images/xpblue/star.gif) ![*](images/xpblue/star.gif)
Posts: 6256
Registered: 4-10-2014
Location: Unmoved
Member Is Offline
Mood: Organised
|
|
Repurposing glassware
I have come across some broken volumetric pipettes. I hate throwing stuff like that out. Seems like it might make a good ampoule or even better a gas
discharge tube.
I would luke to get rid of the things printed on them. No solvents I tried made any impression. But it does not appear to be etched. How are these
things printed and any suggestions as to what might move it?
|
|
mangoman667
Harmless
Posts: 37
Registered: 10-10-2014
Member Is Offline
Mood: No Mood
|
|
As far as ampoules, they will work great for that purpose. Just make sure you put a nice, thick seal on it to avoid breakage. Other than that, I've
heard that some people use broken borosilicate for boiling chips. Maybe just crush some up into smaller pieces so it's easier to insert.
|
|
Dr.Bob
International Hazard
![*](images/xpblue/star.gif) ![*](images/xpblue/star.gif) ![*](images/xpblue/star.gif) ![*](images/xpblue/star.gif)
Posts: 2690
Registered: 26-1-2011
Location: USA - NC
Member Is Offline
Mood: No Mood
|
|
I have found, by accident, that concentrated sulfuric acid dissolves the printing on some pipettes, especially when mixed with DMSO. BTW, that
strips the paint off nearly everything, especially when boiling... But the chemistry works, which is even more amazing.
|
|
j_sum1
Administrator
![*](images/xpblue/star.gif) ![*](images/xpblue/star.gif) ![*](images/xpblue/star.gif) ![*](images/xpblue/star.gif) ![*](images/xpblue/star.gif) ![*](images/xpblue/star.gif) ![*](images/xpblue/star.gif)
Posts: 6256
Registered: 4-10-2014
Location: Unmoved
Member Is Offline
Mood: Organised
|
|
Conc sulfuric did nothing.
|
|
Chemosynthesis
International Hazard
![*](images/xpblue/star.gif) ![*](images/xpblue/star.gif) ![*](images/xpblue/star.gif) ![*](images/xpblue/star.gif)
Posts: 1071
Registered: 26-9-2013
Member Is Offline
Mood: No Mood
|
|
Was it a commercial drain cleaner? Drain cleaners sometimes have buffers.
|
|
j_sum1
Administrator
![*](images/xpblue/star.gif) ![*](images/xpblue/star.gif) ![*](images/xpblue/star.gif) ![*](images/xpblue/star.gif) ![*](images/xpblue/star.gif) ![*](images/xpblue/star.gif) ![*](images/xpblue/star.gif)
Posts: 6256
Registered: 4-10-2014
Location: Unmoved
Member Is Offline
Mood: Organised
|
|
Nope. LR grade H2SO4 at the school where I work.
I didn't leave it soaking or anything though. Prolonged exposure may be different.
|
|
hyfalcon
International Hazard
![*](images/xpblue/star.gif) ![*](images/xpblue/star.gif) ![*](images/xpblue/star.gif) ![*](images/xpblue/star.gif)
Posts: 1003
Registered: 29-3-2012
Member Is Offline
Mood: No Mood
|
|
Heat it while soaking. HOT sulfuric has stripped the ink out of engraved marks on one of my thermometers.
|
|
HgDinis25
Hazard to Others
![*](images/xpblue/star.gif) ![*](images/xpblue/star.gif)
Posts: 439
Registered: 14-3-2014
Location: Portugal
Member Is Offline
Mood: Who drank my mercury?
|
|
Like some have stated, Sulfuric Acid usually does the trick. Heat it to decomposition temperature for further attack on the ink. You may also consider
Piranha Solution, if you have access to concentrated H2O2.
|
|
chemrox
International Hazard
![*](images/xpblue/star.gif) ![*](images/xpblue/star.gif) ![*](images/xpblue/star.gif) ![*](images/xpblue/star.gif)
Posts: 2961
Registered: 18-1-2007
Location: UTM
Member Is Offline
Mood: LaGrangian
|
|
Piranha is expensive and ephemeral. Try what Dr. Bob suggested. Boiling sulfuric and DMSO... btw, what buffers in acid drain cleaner!? That would be
counter-productive. How would you 'buffer' con H2SO4? to pH 0.01?
"When you let the dumbasses vote you end up with populism followed by autocracy and getting back is a bitch." Plato (sort of)
|
|
Little_Ghost_again
National Hazard
![*](images/xpblue/star.gif) ![*](images/xpblue/star.gif) ![*](images/xpblue/star.gif)
Posts: 985
Registered: 16-9-2014
Member Is Offline
Mood: Baffled
|
|
I use the glass tube bits as stir bars etc, just put some metal rod inside, melt the glass closed then cut.
I was lucky enough to have some broken ones amongst some other stuff, really handy things! I left the paint on though
|
|
HgDinis25
Hazard to Others
![*](images/xpblue/star.gif) ![*](images/xpblue/star.gif)
Posts: 439
Registered: 14-3-2014
Location: Portugal
Member Is Offline
Mood: Who drank my mercury?
|
|
Quote: Originally posted by chemrox ![](images/xpblue/lastpost.gif) | Piranha is expensive and ephemeral. Try what Dr. Bob suggested. Boiling sulfuric and DMSO... btw, what buffers in acid drain cleaner!? That would be
counter-productive. How would you 'buffer' con H2SO4? to pH 0.01? |
I'm sorry, did you just say that Piranha solution is expensive and went on encouraging the use of DMSO?
|
|