Solvents That May Dull Plexiglas
Plexiglas is one of the most widely distributed materials in the United States. It has replaced more expensive glass components in department stores, homes, and offices for its resiliency and cost effectiveness. Some common solvents pose dangers to Plexiglas, however, and can dull the surface and even cause cracks over time. Does this Spark an idea?
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Ethanol
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Ethanol is pure alcohol, a solvent that has a reputation for dulling and breaking Plexiglas. This is through a process called solvent crazing, in which the solvent weakens areas of the Plexiglas, giving rise to very tiny fractures in the material. The sheet will look as though it's been cut many times with a small knife. The marks will obscure visibility through the material and eventually crack the sheet altogether.
Turpentine
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Turpentine is a popular organic solvent proven to remove layers of veneer in a few minutes. The solvent is used primarily for its ability to weaken oil-based products, and since Plexiglas is partly composed of petroleum, turpentine poses a great risk to the glass substitute. Exposure to turpentine will dull and eventually crack Plexiglas by breaking down the petroleum that helps bind the material.
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Coffee and Tea
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Coffee is a solvent, just as water is. Over time the yellowing effects that coffee and other caffeinated products like tea have on human teeth will also affect Plexiglas. Coffee and tea wear away the acrylic covering of Plexiglas and yellow the remaining materials, hence clouding the material through discoloration.
Ammonia and Bleach
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Ammonia may make Plexiglas cloudy by stripping protective layers of veneer. Ammonia is found in small amounts in common household glass cleaner and must never be used on Plexiglas. Bleach may be used in very thin amounts but will have a darkening effect on nearby metal surfaces. It's preferable to use soap and water to clean a Plexiglas surface.
Gasoline
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Gasoline will melt Plexiglas in a similar fashion as turpentine. Striations in the glass will form quickly, resulting in clouding of the material, and then cracks will widen. Plexiglas will soften and break if gasoline is allowed to remain on its surface. It is recommended that such strong solvents be kept away from Plexiglas since they damage it so easily. Once the surface of Plexiglas is clouded, there is no way to fix it.
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