Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Separatory Funnel O-Rings

Gooferking Science - 11-1-2018 at 08:51

I recently lost an O-Ring for my separatory funnel’s stopcock down the drain. I am looking to buy a replacement, but I am unsure what type of O-Ring will provide the chemical resistance that is necessary. It needs to be able to withstand many organic solvents as well as acidic and basic solutions. Will Buna-N or Viton be sufficient? Or does it need to be something more substantial like PTFE or Chemraz?

Magpie - 11-1-2018 at 09:01

I would try the O-rings from Ace Hardware. I think they are made of Viton.

JJay - 11-1-2018 at 16:36

I also think Viton would work well. It is almost as resistant to chemicals and temperature extremes as PTFE.

Texium - 11-1-2018 at 16:48

At work, I have nitrile (NBR), HNBR, and Viton O-rings. They all work fine, but the HNBR and Viton seem to be more durable for long term use than the nitrile ones, which begin to wear out over time.

XeonTheMGPony - 11-1-2018 at 17:28

Viton is used in most HVAC gear, where it is exposed to some pretty nasty conditions.

NEMO-Chemistry - 12-1-2018 at 19:35

I been using these with vac high temp grease. They are on ebay and ALL 4 boxs were sold together for £4
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/419pc-Rubber-O-Rings-Tap-Washers-...
20180113_032951[1].png - 1.1MB 20180113_033026_-_Copy[1].png - 1.2MB

[Edited on 13-1-2018 by NEMO-Chemistry]

Dr.Bob - 12-1-2018 at 20:06

Great find Nemo, I paid a lot for a box of them years ago. But I always run out of the smaller ones for stopcocks whenever I have an assortment. Viton is fine for most chemicals, the O-ring should not see much solvent if the stopcock does not leak.

PiledhigherandDeeper - 13-1-2018 at 06:36

Quote: Originally posted by Dr.Bob  
Great find Nemo, I paid a lot for a box of them years ago. But I always run out of the smaller ones for stopcocks whenever I have an assortment. Viton is fine for most chemicals, the O-ring should not see much solvent if the stopcock does not leak.


Dr. Bob (and ALCON)

https://www.harborfreight.com/180-piece-viton-o-ring-kit-675...

Picked these up for 10 bucks at HF yesterday. Granted you get 5-10 of numerous sizes, the price is right for me. A 50 pack of one size is about the same price at McMaster Carr; I suppose it depends on how many of one size you go through.

Magpie,

Thanks for the tip about Ace. I am really developing a strong love for Ace Hardware and how they provide under the radar items for hobbyists.

Magpie - 13-1-2018 at 06:48

You're welcome. One member said that Ace is a chemical supplier masquerading as a hardware store.

NEMO-Chemistry - 13-1-2018 at 08:13

Quote: Originally posted by Magpie  
You're welcome. One member said that Ace is a chemical supplier masquerading as a hardware store.

We have a crap hardware store! But seriously from a UK perspective, i can honestly say the above quote could be nearer the truth than you think.

Regulations would be less, plus its easy to justify alot of chems for a hardware/DIY type use. But set a Chemical company up and try and sell hardware would not be so easy.

Your equiv to our SIC numbers would make it hard for a chem company to sell Hardware, but the SIC numbers are not difficult to switch around so a hardware company could sell alot of chems.

PirateDocBrown - 13-1-2018 at 11:01

A while ago, California had a restriction on sale of MEK, I'm assuming for air quality reasons. So, WM Barr, the main maker of it for consumer purposes, came out with "MEK substitute" for a short time. It was ethyl acetate, in inexpensive gallon quantities. Later, the restriction was reversed, and Barr went back to MEK and discontinued the substitute.

But my local ACE has both on the shelves! Gotta love it.