Why are plastic container used for storing chemicals in the lab??
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For example concentrated sulfuric acid (H2SO4) is never stored in plastic - only in glass - because it would react with the plastic.
Solvents (like benzene, toluene, hexane) are often stored in glass too, but Teflon or high-density polyethylene are very stable plastics and hardly react with anything (so they make good containers).
At one point I worked in a polymer's lab (Queen's University) and major piece of testing equipment had to dissolve the plastic (polymer) to work. We couldn't actually test polyethylene because it didn't dissolve in any solvent that we had access too! (so it makes a great container for storage)
p.s. it is VERY important that any container used to store chemicals be labeled (see WHIMS requirements) also you must NEVER store food or drink in a container that has been used for chemicals.
Solvents (like benzene, toluene, hexane) are often stored in glass too, but Teflon or high-density polyethylene are very stable plastics and hardly react with anything (so they make good containers).
At one point I worked in a polymer's lab (Queen's University) and major piece of testing equipment had to dissolve the plastic (polymer) to work. We couldn't actually test polyethylene because it didn't dissolve in any solvent that we had access too! (so it makes a great container for storage)
p.s. it is VERY important that any container used to store chemicals be labeled (see WHIMS requirements) also you must NEVER store food or drink in a container that has been used for chemicals.
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