A Close Call

[BobF]

Hello all,

I just wanted to share an unpleasant experience that I had the other day.  I was soldering some metal fittings for my longboat.  I was using Stay-Brite solder and the flux that comes with this product.  While dispensing a drop of flux on to an applicator, the bottle shattered in my hand.  (See attached photo.) The liquid splashed on my nylon vest, my hands, my throat, and my face.  I immediately started experiencing a slight burning sensation where the flux had landed on my skin, which I immediately started rinsing with cold water.  The nylon vest was ruined.  It wasn’t until afterward that I noticed that some droplets had landed on the lenses of my Opti-Visor.  I consider myself very lucky.

The bottle of flux which I was using was very old.  I’m guessing that I may have purchased it as much as 20 years ago.  The fact that the bottle shattered would lead me to believe that the plastic material had become brittle with age.  It just so happens that I had a second newer bottle, which I carefully squeezed.  The bottle appeared to be quite pliable.  Anyway, if you use this product, please be careful with it.  Eye protection is a definite must!

 

BobF

[Senior ole salt]

Thanks Bob for the heads up.  Glad you're OK.

 

S.os

[Jim Lad]

Crikey, Bob, that was close!

 

John

[Mirabell61]

Hello all,

I just wanted to share an unpleasant experience that I had the other day.  I was soldering some metal fittings for my longboat.  I was using Stay-Brite solder and the flux that comes with this product.  While dispensing a drop of flux on to an applicator, the bottle shattered in my hand.  (See attached photo.) The liquid splashed on my nylon vest, my hands, my throat, and my face.  I immediately started experiencing a slight burning sensation where the flux had landed on my skin, which I immediately started rinsing with cold water.  The nylon vest was ruined.  It wasn’t until afterward that I noticed that some droplets had landed on the lenses of my Opti-Visor.  I consider myself very lucky.

The bottle of flux which I was using was very old.  I’m guessing that I may have purchased it as much as 20 years ago.  The fact that the bottle shattered would lead me to believe that the plastic material had become brittle with age.  It just so happens that I had a second newer bottle, which I carefully squeezed.  The bottle appeared to be quite pliable.  Anyway, if you use this product, please be careful with it.  Eye protection is a definite must!

 

BobF

Thanks the warning Bob,

 

glad you are OK, is the Producer still existing, you probably dropped him an email then.

I know from experience that These plastic materials (flux bottle) should not be exposed to sunlight, the material becomes brittle due to UV Radiation (20 years as you mentioned is a Long time anyhow)

 

Nils

[gjdale]

Sounds like you were very lucky there Bob! Glad to hear you are okay though. Thanks for the warning.

[P_Budzik]

Thanks for the warning.  My bottle is very old as well.

 

Paul

[druxey]

Thanks for posting your experience, Bob. I'm glad that you are OK and that it wasn't worse. We appreciate the heads up. Always wear safety gear - especially eye protection.

 

All plastics will become less pliable with age as the plasticizer changes chemically. This example seems unusually brittle. Of course, the contents may have influenced the rate of change in the plastic.

[Jaxboat]

Wow! Never saw plastic get that brittle at room temp. Thanks for the warning.

Best

Jaxboat

[dgbot]

All forms of plastic have waht is called a shelf life. At work all the plastic and polyurathane is dated. Depending on the type after the shelf live will become either brittle or soft or start felling like it wnats to melt but wont.

David B