Category Archives: Chemistry and Materials FAQs

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Why were some halocarbons solvents banned but some are still in use?

Posted on December 19, 2012 by

The solvents that were banned were the ones that were chemically very stable and survived for very long periods of time in the atmosphere. These materials eventually travelled to the ozone layer and were involved in photochemical reactions which destroyed … Continue reading →

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In terms of Corrosion, what’s the difference between a ‘Passivator’ and an ‘Inhibitor’?

Posted on November 27, 2012 by

Metals are said to be ‘passive’ when they show good corrosion resistance against a specific medium. That is to say that metal A might be passive in liquid 1 but not in liquid 2, whereas metal B might be passive … Continue reading →

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One Chemist’s Thoughts on some Anti-depressant Drugs

Posted on September 27, 2012 by

One Chemist’s Thoughts on some Anti-depressant Drugs As a Chemist, I am often asked, “Can you tell me anything about such-and-such a drug”? With retailers like “Boots the Chemist” on the high street, it is not surprising that many people … Continue reading →

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How Dangerous are the Hydrazine Fuels?

Posted on May 21, 2012 by

Just how dangerous are the Hydrazine Fuels? The hydrazine fuels (anhydrous hydrazine and mono-methylhydrazine MMH) are currently going through close scrutiny in Europe because of the new ‘REACH’ legislation. Consequently, the question of their toxicity is a hot subject. Having … Continue reading →

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FAQ; Are there any chemicals which can be used to strip enamel from copper wire?

Posted on February 8, 2012 by

Answer; we think that the only chemicals which work are rather dangerous. We have started to use self-fluxing wire which does not require the enamel to be removed; you simply apply a hot iron and the coating disappears. You can … Continue reading →

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FAQ; Optimising the Use of Lead Acid Car Batteries

Posted on February 8, 2012 by

My first response to any question about car batteries (12V lead acid) is that the answer to just about anything you want to know them can be found on one single website; Bill Darden’s most excellent “Car and Deep Cycle … Continue reading →

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FAQ; High Performance Greases/Lubricants

Posted on February 8, 2012 by

When working with aggressive chemicals, the use of greases is often highly restricted (or prohibited) and we are often asked what we use. In working with liquid oxidisers (nitrogen tetroxide, nitric acid and hydrogen fluoride), we have generally found that … Continue reading →

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