Polycarbonate tank buster test?

[Runamok3x]

As we know, many flavors can break/crack polycarbonate tanks
So I was wondering if there was an easy way to know if a flavor will destroy a tank by using household items.
i went to the Polycarbonate website. Yeah, It has it's own website.
"If you own a DVD or CD, then you know what polycarbonate feels like. DVD’s and CD’s are among the most famous products that are made from this material. "
So I took an old cd and some juices known to crack tanks and dripped a drop or two of each on the disk.
in theory the tank crackers should eat away at the disk.
after the first hour only one juice ate away at the disk.
This is a pic after the an hour.
A=amaretto S=Spearmint P=Peach L=Licorice B=Beelzebub's Nectar a spicy cinnamon.
so far only the amaretto seems to be eating away at it.
I'll let it sit for a few days.

Is this a valid test?
anyone else willing to try this test also?

 

[HMav]

This would be mostly valid, at least for polycarbonate. The type of plastic (and even the specific polymer and additive blends within that plastic "family") will vary between different brands of tanks. If you use PC tanks, this looks like a decent acid test to me. If it etches the CD, I'd bet it would definitely crack a PC tank. I'd still be wary of the "classic" tank crackers even if it doesn't etch the CD though.

This wouldn't be valid for acrylic, PMMA, or HDPE tanks.

 

[TheOdessa]

To avoid this entirely, I only buy tanks that utilize pyrex or glass. Problem solved.

 

[jefffrrrrooo]

Oh good.....Im going to try this....have a couple of questionable juices and dont want to gamble them in my kayfun.

 

[Akasticker]

Awesome thats a good idea, i personally will not vape anything considered a tank cracker because i feel weary vaping something that will melt plastic.

 

[Arnie H]

Very interesting experiment. However I cannot make out much of anything where the A is on the photo. Probably my old eyes. I can see drops of liquid on the disk, but not much else. I still love my tank crackers, however, I do use them in moderation, but aside from a chemical reaction between the plastic and the molecules in the liquid, I cannot say for certain they are any more dangerous than any other juice. I don't use plastic anymore though, have not for quite some time. Glass is king! So many liquids can crack/etch PC tanks nowadays, ya never know, its like throwing your money away buying these plastic tanks.With glass or metal tanks its not an issue.

Sounds like a fun thing, I will try this myself.

 

[DaveOno]

Good idea. Really good idea!

Just remember, a few drops sitting on the CD is one thing. Having 1 or 2 ml in a tank moving around might be another.

Just because it doesn't react with the CD, a juice still might etch a tank. And one vendor's spearmint might be fine, while another vendor's spearmint might be very reactive.

I have an old tank that electrically broke (the positive center wire up the chimney). I have put questionable liquids into that tank and let it sit a few days as my tester. And so far, the ones I tested were fine. (various lemonades, citrusy stuff) I didn't bother to test my hot cinnamon, that went straight into pyrex.

However, some juices don't appear to etch the tank visually, but their flavor is pervasive. I have 3 tanks that are "stained" with the old flavors.

And even in glass tanks, like the nautilus, those gaskets might retain flavors, too. I know, different issue, but...

Can't wait to see your results.

 

[DaveOno]

One more thing: controls.

Let's say you find juiceA is an etcher, and juiceB is not. Going forward, I would put a drop of juiceA and juiceB with the other samples as the control, the "known expected results".

This would also give you a way to somewhat evaluate the amount of etching. With a sharpie write the day and time of the start of a test. If it's me, I'd shoot for 5 days to start.

Fascinating. Thanks again!

 

[retired1]

Or check out this thread.

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ices-flavors-crack-tanks-ce2s-clearos-40.html

 

[Runamok3x]

Yeah, I agree, this is in no way conclusive. And we should not use this as the end all before we put juice in a poly tank.
There are many other factors and I personally would not use tank buster juices in a poly tank.

Here is an updated picture after 24 hours. The amaretto totally destroyed the poly while the other juices 'seem' to the naked eye to not be having an effect.