can acetone be used to clean plastic

When choosing a plastic for your custom parts, you’ll find that while some properties may recommend a certain plastic, other properties rule it out. One way to instantly rule a material out? The plastic chemical resistance chart. Before you do anything else, make sure you consult the chart so that your product can have a strong, long life.

If you’re curious about how acetone affects certain plastics, you should know it has no impact on some materials, while it will cause others to dissolve. It’s sold in a metal container for a reason. But some companies also sell acetone as nail polish remover in plastic bottles made of high-density polyethylene. The material makes a difference. As a plastic products company for five decades, we’ve ranked these materials according to how resistant they are to acetone.

Of course, some variables can affect the resistance of plastics: concentration, temperature, length of time, frequency, presence of other chemicals, and more. These ratings reflect plastics tested at ambient temperature.

Because the chemical makeup of these plastics is so different from acetone, any reaction is negligible for mechanical properties.

These materials won’t dissolve when exposed to acetone, but there are better choices. You can expect at least a minor effect they contact acetone.

This category indicates that acetone would have a moderate effect on the plastic. On our chemical resistance chart, we just list one: acetal. If it comes into regular contact with acetone, your part will have a limited life.

If acetone comes into contact with the plastics below, you can expect a severe effect, especially at a high concentration and over a long time. The chemical makeup of these plastics is too similar to acetone to resist it. The acetone will damage the plastic’s surface, softening it, smearing it, or even dissolving the plastic.

At Miller Plastics, we’ve seen how acetone affects certain plastics, and we never second-guess the chemical resistance chart. As a plastic products company for five decades, we can guide you to the best materials for your custom parts. Contact us or visit our state-of-the-art facilities in Burgettstown, PA, near Pittsburgh. We can help take your design from sketch to reality.

Acetone can be a good choice for cleaning tough paint or adhesive stains from plastic. You should never submerge your plastic items in acetone, but with a Q-tip, a toothbrush, and a little elbow grease, your plastic will be as clean as new in no time.
can acetone be used to clean plastic

When choosing a plastic for your custom parts, you’ll find that while some properties may recommend a certain plastic, other properties rule it out. One way to instantly rule a material out? The plastic chemical resistance chart. Before you do anything else, make sure you consult the chart so that your product can have a strong, long life.

This category indicates that acetone would have a moderate effect on the plastic. On our chemical resistance chart, we just list one: acetal. If it comes into regular contact with acetone, your part will have a limited life.

If acetone comes into contact with the plastics below, you can expect a severe effect, especially at a high concentration and over a long time. The chemical makeup of these plastics is too similar to acetone to resist it. The acetone will damage the plastic’s surface, softening it, smearing it, or even dissolving the plastic.

At Miller Plastics, we’ve seen how acetone affects certain plastics, and we never second-guess the chemical resistance chart. As a plastic products company for five decades, we can guide you to the best materials for your custom parts. Contact us or visit our state-of-the-art facilities in Burgettstown, PA, near Pittsburgh. We can help take your design from sketch to reality.

Of course, some variables can affect the resistance of plastics: concentration, temperature, length of time, frequency, presence of other chemicals, and more. These ratings reflect plastics tested at ambient temperature.

14 Surprising Acetone (Nail Polish Remover) Uses & Hacks Around The Home

FAQ

Can acetone damage plastic?

There are all kinds of plastics. If a particular plastic bears a close enough similarity to acetone, the acetone will dissolve or at least affect its surface, softening, smearing or even dissolving the plastic. Other plastics, dissimilar to acetone, will remain unaffected by the solvent.

What plastics can withstand acetone?

Plastics that are acetone safe include polyethylene, polypropylene, and fluoroplastics (Teflon, Tefzel, etc.). Acetone can migrate through thin polyethylene (think baggie), so over time it may disappear if stored in a container made of this plastic.

Can you use nail polish remover to clean plastic?

Yes, nail polish remover can potentially damage certain types of plastic. Nail polish removers usually contain acetone or other strong solvents that can soften and dissolve plastic surfaces. The extent of the damage depends on the type of plastic and the duration of contact with the nail polish remover.

Can you use acetone on plastic?

Acetone is quite good at dissolving polymers. Do not use acetone on plastic before checking out whether that plastic can withstand acetone. Let it dry for a couple hours. Try turning it on again. If it does turn on, good. If not, you’re pretty much screwed. However from what I can see from the picture you didn’t really damage anything vital.

What happens if acetone comes into contact with plastic?

If acetone comes into contact with the plastics below, you can expect a severe effect, especially at a high concentration and over a long time. The chemical makeup of these plastics is too similar to acetone to resist it. The acetone will damage the plastic’s surface, softening it, smearing it, or even dissolving the plastic.

Does acetone dissolve plastic?

These materials won’t dissolve when exposed to acetone, but there are better choices. You can expect at least a minor effect they contact acetone. This category indicates that acetone would have a moderate effect on the plastic. On our chemical resistance chart, we just list one: acetal.

Can acetone be used as a DIY cleaner?

In the absence of other cleaners, acetone can be used as a powerful DIY cleaner to remove dirt, stains, and grime from many surfaces at home. When used for this purpose, the solvent delivers outstanding results. Are there any benefits to using acetone as a DIY cleaner at home? Why should a person consider using it to clean surfaces? You asked.

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