14 replies to this topic

[NeilB]

Quick question lol, iv been looking at a few glitter comps mainly D1 and Winokur 24.

Iv read that there can be a reaction with the aluminium/water/nitrate and so to use boric acid to help.
As this is unavailable in the uk what do you guys use instead.

Thanks, Neil.

[Rip Rap]

Boric acid is easily available in the UK! 

 

https://www.ebay.co....5.c100011.m1850

[NeilB]

Didn't know how dodgy it would be from eBay lol. Couldn't find it from most places only a borax substitute and wasn't sure if it would work. I read somewhere that it was only available to business as it was so poisonous. Might of been an old post and changed since. Thankyou riprap.

[martyn]

Yo might have been thinking about oxalic acid.

That was regulated by the EPP laws.

Despite that, it is easily available on ebay as well.

I don't think bee keepers worry too much about EPP.

[NeilB]

Hi all. Just to clear up, this is the page I read to make me think it was unavailable to the public.

https://mistralni.co...c-acid-granular

Quoted from the page "Please Note: This product has been reclassified by the ECHA as Reprotoxic Category 2 and as such is not available to the general public. This change does not affect availability for business users, companies or scientific research."

But thankyou for getting back to me guys :-)

[icarus]

that is really re assuring!! boric acid was also called boracic acid  the pure pharmaceutical version was sold by chemists shops in solution with an eye bath . it was a superb mildly antiseptic eye wash . i used it when due to lack of experience/ carelessness i got  arc eye  from careless welding . You only get it once !!- the day after welding agonising pain from recovering uv fried eyeballs. Boracic acid eye drops were the best for easing the pain and i am thankful to read that it  also killed any residual ants or cockroaches.  reprotoxic?-  no worries  at age 60+  !!! 

boric acid is very useful for production of green flames

[BlackCat]

There are similar notes on Inoxia's website and APC Chemicals saying that the material is for professional use only or restricted. Seems to be readily available on EBay though so maybe it's time to stock up before the other sellers realise what's happening.

[Rob.L.]

Ultimately one needs to look at how the new classification for Boric acid as a reproductive toxin came about and make up your own mind. If someone could find me any cases of harm to human reproduction directly attributed to Boric acid then it may help to clarify my thoughts a bit. (wont change the law though!)

 

It is a conundrum for sure. We were once told asbestos posed no health risk. how horribly wrong that was.

 

Many substances are getting a higher and higher hazard rating and I find it hard to keep up correct chemical labelling despite best efforts.

 

I have a fair bit if you are desperate but you should find it easily enough.

 

To date I still use KMnO4 to treat my feet for various ailments and I'm sure this would be frowned upon. https://bushcraftuk....t.112579/page-4

[NeilB]

Icarus I too was impressed with it's range of uses, we have cats so would definitely be cheaper as a flea treatment on the carpets. Sorry for the lack of communication over the past weeks, been hung up alot at work. I have the next few Sundays off (hopefully) so will have to come over and see you.

 

Thankyou Rob, I can get some just wasn't sure weather to buy it with what I read. The link you posted was an interesting read for sure :-). 

 

Neil  

[Pyro-Gear]

Can any of you people answer this question: why are you so hung up on legislation, come on boric acid that’s easy to get however posting links and such maybe a another nail in the coffin just like you guys did with APC regarding acetone.

 

[Rob.L.]

Read it again Ken,

 

I don't think legislation was the thrust of these posts, more its status as a reprotoxin. Folk have Questions they want to ask and expect answers if they are out there.

 

Even if it was a legislation thing it is the choice of the individual to talk abut such things if they want to. In this day and age it is more relevant than ever and cannot be ignored.

 

Stuff bought Via ebay is legit, ebay is one of the leading market places in the world. I buy gallons of solvents and numerous chemicals each year and I don't have a problem. Once I had a batch of dichloromethane that was contaminated with water but that is nothing.

 

Acetone is easily obtained at low cost anywhere so I don't get that comment either??????

 

Back on topic, what are your experiences of Boric Acid in pyro Ken and did you discover anything good?! I've never used it for anything other than timber treatment, it really is good for that!

[NeilB]

It wasn't my intention to "put another nail in the coffin" Pyro, I was confused from what I had read and wanted to ask people who knew about this stuff before I get myself in any trouble. 

[Rob.L.]

It wasn't my intention to "put another nail in the coffin" Pyro, I was confused from what I had read and wanted to ask people who knew about this stuff before I get myself in any trouble. 

 

Don't worry You are not "putting a nail" in anything and your questions are absolutely fine. That is what we are here for.

 

Ken has a particular issue with all of this and strong opinions of his own. He is actually very knowledgeable about pyro and has much to offer the community as a whole. Just needs to pull back from certain subjects to avoid fuss and focus on the subject matter at times. Nobody is perfect!

 

Any questions you have just ask, it really is fine. Must get doing something myself come to think about it!

[samboradford]

If anyone has any issue whatsoever obtaining boric acid I will gladly help with that, it's not on the EPP and I would have no issue helping - in fact, as a point of safety it is essential as a 2% solution when using 75:25 water:alcohol to dampen glitter compositions with aluminium to prevent the decomposition which occurs under basic conditions releasing heat and hydrogen gas with the potential ( as has happened even in commercial factories ) for spontaneous ignition.  Particularly when usings flake Aluminium.  Remember not to leave your damp glitter compositions unattended in a position whereby if they were to ignite they would cause a problem unless you are completely confident no reaction is or will occur.  It is also worth considering both the purtiy of your potassium nitrate and your charcoal as a potential source of OH- ions, not just the use of basic agents such as sodium bicarbonate or sodium oxalate ( the latter being a particular culprit ).  Of course this reaction is not an issue with barium nitrate as it is with potassium nitrate.

 

hope that helps ;-)

Sam.

[NeilB]

It helps alot, thankyou Sam & Rob.