Don't Eat the Yellow Snow!

[P. McKinley]

Oops!

 

[butcher_block]

i dont like keeping anything in glass if i dont have to

 

[P. McKinley]

Well, the intent wasn't to keep it in the glass jar....... just mix it.

This is what happens when you add ferric chloride to distilled water with just a bit to much haste!!

I'm glad I was outside.

 

[12345678910]

I'm guessing that it was the difference between the heat of the acid being mixed and sitting in the snow that shocked the glass jar and broke it.

 

[fast14riot]

Good thing you were wearing all the proper safety equipment, right?!


-Xander

 

[P. McKinley]

1234.... - The temp differential may have been a factor although the gallon jar was sitting on a board and was outside for only a few seconds before I began mixing. I believe the problem was adding the ferric chloride crystals to fast. As I understand it, a fair amount of heat, and chlorine gas(?) is released during the process so, going slow is the key to keeping the temp down. I chose to go with glass rather than plastic which I thought might melt. I never considered the glass would crack though!

Xander - I wouldn't try this without the proper gear... respirator, gloves, and face shield. I may be slow and clumsy, but I'm not stupid.

edit to add: I had a bit more than 1 qt of distilled water in the gallon jar and had added about 1/4 lb of the fc when the bottom cracked cleanly around its base.