• Members of the previous forum can retrieve their temporary password here, (login and check your PM).

Can I use a Plastic Pippette?

Migrated topic.
Squirrel

Squirrel

DMT - Not yet
Merits
42
Hey guys,

So I know how I should look up the chemical make up and see if it is resistant but I seriously don't know what company or plastic the pipette is made out of.

I have 2 average looking plastic pipette's that I snagged from class, they look like the ones were you can get a bundle of 100 from $15

I know that a glass one is best but has anyone used plastic pipette when pulling and do you think that the naphta melts the plastic?
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
Upvote 0 Downvote
dg said:
i see plastic in real labs all the time- folks around here think it is reaaally bad however
Click to expand...

Plastic is a generic name that includes many types of polymers. There's several types of plastic that will react with the aliphatic hydrocarbons used in extractions, or even with acetone. It might be really bad, or not, depending on the combination. For whoever is willing to do homework and check compatibility charts, some plastics might be an option. But as a general advice and to keep people safe, recommending "plastic" is not a good idea.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
I have a turkey baster which is made out of silicon and HDP plastic, pretty sure that it works good, no sign of use after many ph13 solution transfers:p After all my strong acids are also delivered in PEHD and it is safe!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
vineseeker said:
3rdI said:
just because you cant see it doesn't mean its not there:p .
Click to expand...

yes, but if its not safe then acids could not be stored in PEHD...
My lab retailer says pehd is as good as glass, there is no chance that the acid can get into it etc..
Click to expand...
But measuring HDPE's tolerance to acids/bases is not the same as measuring its tolerance to non-polar solvents.

Phillips, the company that manufactures HDPE, explicitly says that HDPE is not suitable for use with the NPS being used for extraction.

In addition to many individual chemicals (mentioned below), Phillips lists two major classes of chemicals that are not compatible with HDPE: aromatic hydrocarbons, and halogenated hydrocarbons. The basic aromatic hydrocarbon is benzene (a major component of gasoline); others are toluene (also called methylbenzene), and the three xylenes (o-, m-and p-xylene). Others include naphthalene (moth balls), and pdichlorobenzene (also moth balls). These aromatic hydrocarbons "permeate excessively and cause package deformation," says Phillips
Click to expand...

Numerous people have seen NPS (including d-limonene) damage HDPE containers.

You can't beat glass. Period.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You can't beat glass. Period.
Click to expand...

of course thats true but since this is the pipette talk here, I really cannot believe that any solvent can degrade or do anything with PEHD in lets say (15sec) because that is the amount of time the solvent is in my baster.:)

Would you agree?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
vineseeker said:
You can't beat glass. Period.
Click to expand...

of course thats true but since this is the pipette talk here, I really cannot believe that any solvent can degrade or do anything with PEHD in lets say (15sec) because that is the amount of time the solvent is in my baster.:)

Would you agree?
Click to expand...

I've used a plastic baster in the past and it seemed to be ok for the short time you need to pipet the solvent, but you need to be sure to immediately clean it thoroughly. Any NP solvent residue will start to degrade the plastics eventually - the bulb on my baster eventually glued itself to the plastic part, and the baster became very brittle and less transparent.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
vineseeker said:
You can't beat glass. Period.
Click to expand...

of course thats true but since this is the pipette talk here, I really cannot believe that any solvent can degrade or do anything with PEHD in lets say (15sec) because that is the amount of time the solvent is in my baster.:)

Would you agree?
Click to expand...
Nope. There are actually threads where people have melted their pipettes/basters.

See benzyme's comment and endlessness' thread on this very subject.

Plastic is not safe when dealing with these NPS.

Any degradation of plastics is undesirable.

Why would you risk any exposure to it?

You can't beat glass. Period.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
vineseeker said:
of course thats true but since this is the pipette talk here, I really cannot believe that any solvent can degrade or do anything with PEHD in lets say (15sec) because that is the amount of time the solvent is in my baster.:)

Would you agree?
Click to expand...
That's what I thought at one point, then I watched a plastic dropper melt before my eyes in a matter of seconds, because I had tried to siphon my nonpolar solvent with it. That changed my mind pretty quickly. Glass pipettes are very easy to find. Is it really worth the risk of tainting such a miraculous compound? I mean, I certainly don't want to vape any plastic...:?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
vineseeker said:
Ive seen a stb extraction tek here somewhere in which the guy used plastic gallon containers to basify and to extract? I guess thats not the best idea then either ?
Click to expand...
hdpe containers are safe regarding acidity and basification (even caustic bases like lye)

the problem comes into play with solvent choice.

though, i believe aliphatic solvents are safe to use with hdpe plastic.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Relatively.

ChemicalResistanceChart.png
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
hdpe pipettes are fine for alcohols, so long as its just being used to transfer a solvent momentarily.

Limonene, however, will melt and eat away at hdpe.

If your unsure, its best to just use glass.

Glass pipettes really aren't that expensive, and a worthwhile investment. Hell, you might even have one lying around from a tincture bottle or something.

Its not worth the risk imho, for the cost of a glass pipette, or sep funnel. They really aren't that expensive, or hard to find/purchase.

And don't steal stuff from your school, glass pipettes, or even plastic pipettes, are not expensive. Just do it right, and act like an adult and buy your extraction equipment. Do you really need a pipette that bad that you have to resort to stealing it?

Cmon man
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
The Day Tripper said:
hdpe pipettes are fine for alcohols, so long as its just being used to transfer a solvent momentarily.

Limonene, however, will melt and eat away at hdpe.

If your unsure, its best to just use glass.

Glass pipettes really aren't that expensive, and a worthwhile investment. Hell, you might even have one lying around from a tincture bottle or something.

Its not worth the risk imho, for the cost of a glass pipette, or sep funnel. They really aren't that expensive, or hard to find/purchase.

And don't steal stuff from your school, glass pipettes, or even plastic pipettes, are not expensive. Just do it right, and act like an adult and buy your extraction equipment. Do you really need a pipette that bad that you have to resort to stealing it?

Cmon man
Click to expand...

Ok yes im sorry but they were just lying around and I took one becuase i knew i would need one instead going to look for one
 
Upvote 0 Downvote

Similar threads

Fezzgig
  • Question Question
Can I use the same vape for DMT and cannabis?
Replies
2
Views
283
Sakkadelic
Sakkadelic
C
  • Question Question
I'm New can someone Help?
Replies
5
Views
398
Jivecat_the_Magnificent
Jivecat_the_Magnificent
F
  • Question Question
A/B Tek problem with FP
Replies
3
Views
113
froggydays
F
V
  • Question Question
crystalizing in a stainless steel dish
Replies
4
Views
175
fink
fink
L
  • Question Question
Should I drain MHRB
Replies
10
Views
491
Transform
Transform
Back
Top Bottom