Ratt Belly

It smells like Acetone to me. Although, maybe I have been sniffing it a little too much.

Deadeye

Acetone is the main deboning agent, but they also use some sort of inert chemical so it gels.

Ratt Belly

That's what I figured. Thanks.

the-plumber

If you buy it from The BORG as acetone it's a lot less expensive than buying it as "debonder" from a hobby supplier. A quart of the stuff usually runs about ten bucks.

Ratt Belly

Yeah, that was my plan. Thanks guys.

Dai Phan

My Feedback: (2)

Hello,

The best debonder is FULL STRENGTH acetone. Don't buy nail polish remover as it is too weak. DP

bob_nj

My Feedback: (62)

Someone needs to post the caveats to acetone and the human body_bob

Ross Kean

MSDS Sheet for acetone:

http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/englishhtml/a0446.htm

While acetone is not harmless, it is not even close to being one of the worst chemicals we deal with regularly in this hobby. It is certainly an irritant and can cause some skin drying and cracking. Highly flammable as well. It is not a carcinogen and from what I have read, there is no reason to expect long-term health effects with casual contact. (Don't drink it or bathe in it!) Use it in a reasonably well ventilated area.

As with anything, use reasonable care in the use and handling of this (and any other material) but don't assume that just because it is a "solvent" that you will die or your future kids will have two heads if you touch it!!!!

Have a look at health-related information on gasoline, cyanoacrylate adhesives, catalysts (for resins), laquer thinner, cadmium (batteries), lead (batteries, electronic solder, and some paint), methanol (glow fuel), butyrate dope, nitromethane, hexavalent chromium (plating baths) not to mention some of the really nasty solvents (chlorinated and aromatic) in a whole range of modelling products. Acetone doesn't even come close to the top ten in terms of moderate exposure risk.

Ross

the-plumber

Signs of overexposure to acetone :
IRRTNT TO EYES,SKIN,MUCOUSA.INGEST:GI IRRTNT,NARCOSIS,KID/LIV DAMAGE.INHAL:HEADACH,NAUS,DROWSNS,COMA

That's from [link=http://msds.ehs.cornell.edu/msds/msdsdod/a102/m50520.htm#Section11]Cornell University MSDS[/link]

jaka

Hi!
Debonder is not acetone...at least it doesn't smell like it.
Acetone doesn't come close to pure nitro when it comes to removing Ca glue!
Try it yourself and you will see what I mean.

Regards!
Jan K
Sweden

Ross Kean

I never said that acetone is harmless. I was merely making the point that it is far less dangerous than some of the chemicals we use every day in this hobby. Overexposure (breathing concentrated fumes for an extended period of time) or ingestion (drinking) are definately NOT recommended as per the MSDS. If one uses moderate amounts of acetone in a well-ventilated area and if you minimize skin contact the risks are low.

Ross

bob_nj

My Feedback: (62)

Isn't acetone one of those things that accumulates in the body, but it doesn't go away?

Ross Kean

Acetone does not bio-accumulate. It is removed by the body by exhalation, excretion (urine) or is metabolized by the body. Acetone, in significant quantities, is actually produced by the body during the metabolism of fats. There are lots of other natural sources of acetone.

The rat oral LD50 is 5800 mg/kg of body weight. By comparison, the LD50 for ethyl alcohol (the stuff you drink) is only a little higher at 7060 mg/kg. NIOSH and OSHA permissable concentrations (in air) are similar for acetone and ethanol. OSHA lists a TWA (time weighted average) for both acetone and ethanol in air at 1000 ppm (threshold odor is around 140 ppm). This is for 8 hr exposure.

Acetone, in moderate amounts is NOT acutely toxic. It does not accumulate in the body. It is not believed to have long-term exposure effects (assuming exposure is not near the toxic levels). It is not believed to be a human carcinogen.

I run an environmental chemistry laboratory and we regularly use a whole variety of potentially toxic materials. Acetone is one of the relatively "good guys". As always, we do everything we can to limit exposure to all chemical substances but concerns over acetone don't even make it to the top 20 even though it is often used in significant quantities. Again, I am not suggesting that the material is harmless or doesn't carry risks with use but I would spend far more effort in taking care with some of the other substances I mentioned in my first post.

Ross

bentgear

Ross, thanks for letting folks know that just because its a chemical, it may not be the baddest of the bad of what is normally found on anybodies workbench. Next time engine cleaning comes up I would love to hear your comments on using ethylene glycol antifreeze vs some of the sodium hydroxide, methylene chloride, etc. based cleaners out there in use.

Ed M.

the-plumber

Indeed you did not, and I'm sure the other respondents understood that.

I didn't say it was lethal on incidental exposure, either.

That is, for most folks.

I'm one of 'those' who have acquired allergies to a number of hobby products, not the least of which is CA. In addition I cannot tolerate a number of solvents, but acetone is not one of them. I use it all the time, and while I'm allergic to CA there are occaisions when nothing else will do. CA tips are immersed in acetone in a sealed jar, and the CA is also in a sealed jar with silica gel to extend the life.

I also keep a hundred-count box of extra large nitrile gloves in the building shed right next to an MSA cartridge mask.

Caveat emptor.

pbunn

My Feedback: (1)

I think that acetone is similar to tolulene in that the body can metabolise it. It does not accumalate.

Acetone's worst problem is probably its low flash point making it a fire hazzard.

Ross Kean

pbunn

Toluene is MUCH worse than acetone. This is in terms of acute and chronic exposure. Please read the MSDS sheet for this chemical.

http://www.ertco.com/msds_toluene.html

Its still not as bad as some but allowable exposure levels are much lower than for acetone. Be very careful with this stuff and use in a very well ventilated area. Toluene is used as a solvent in a lot of adhesives and resins.

Ross

SoonerAce

My Feedback: (1)

Debonder? Why Elfin Magic, of course!

horace315

My Feedback: (15)

de bond er isnt that when a redneck gets out of jail?................lol

Ratt Belly

They don't really let rednecks out of jail do they???

Deadstik

My Feedback: (8)

So.... does anybody really know what debonder is???????


Dan

Carolina Custom Aircraft

the-plumber

Acetone. Just like you can get at The BORG for about ten bucks a quart rather than ten bucks per 4 oz. at a hobby shop.

Ratt Belly

But what is acetone made of??????????

Bass1

Rednecks, of course!

Ratt Belly

I KNEW IT!