Difference Between Acetone and Styrofoam

Acetone is a relatively non-polar solvent (as compared to water, which is highly polar), and Styrofoam is made from polystyrene and foam. Due to their similar polarities, acetone can dissolve the carbon-hydrogen bonds of Styrofoam.

Does acetone eat Styrofoam?

The Styrofoam will dissolve in the acetone much like sugar dissolves in hot water. Since Styrofoam is mostly air, you may be surprised by how much (or, in the end, how little) foam will dissolve in the acetone. A cup of acetone is enough to dissolve an entire bean bag's worth of styrofoam beads.

Is acetone and styrofoam a chemical change?

Styrofoam dissolves in acetone in a similar way to how sugar dissolves in water. It is a physical rather than a chemical reaction. The air in the foam leaves, and because Styrofoam consists mainly of air, when it dissolves in acetone it completely loses its structure.

Does acetone dissolve Styrofoam?

The acetone is a solvent that easily breaks down the polystyrene, releasing the little air pockets trapped inside and leaving very little residue at the end. In other words, the polystyrene dissolves in the acetone.

Does acetone and Styrofoam make napalm?

Yes. napalm is really nothing more than thickened gasoline and he styrofoam is the thickening agent. The reason it is thickened is to make it stick to whatever it hits and burn there.

Does vinegar dissolve Styrofoam?

Vinegar and more specifically “weak acids” will not dissolve styrofoam (the frequently used designation for foamed cups etc.). Acids will soften the thin walls of the plastic bubbles that make up foamed polystyrene.

Is melting styrofoam with acetone dangerous?

When it comes in contact with acetone, the polystyrene chains fall apart. However, the acetone doesn't actually dissolve the styrene molecules. ... Please don't rush out and try to do this on your own, as acetone is dangerous and also not the right chemical to do this properly.

What causes acetone to melt Styrofoam?

Acetone melts styrofoam because it is a very good solvent for polystyrene, the material that styrofoam is made from. Polystyrene is made from the monomer styrene, an organic compound, which is catalyzed and turns into polystyrene, a solid plastic which is readily soluble in acetone.

Why does Styrofoam dissolve in acetone but not water?

Acetone is a relatively non-polar solvent (as compared to water, which is highly polar), and Styrofoam is made from polystyrene and foam. Due to their similar polarities, acetone can dissolve the carbon-hydrogen bonds of Styrofoam. ... This is because acetone is present in both nail polish remover and nail polish.

What happens when you mix acetone and Styrofoam?

When combined the Styrofoam seems to disappear inside the acetone. This disappearance is in fact a dissolving, and the Styrofoam molecules become interspersed in the acetone. This dissolving and the resultant solution shows potential for recycling technology.

Can I burn Styrofoam?

Burning Styrofoam, or polystyrene, is the least appropriate way to get rid of it for both people and the environment. Research has shown that when Styrofoam is burned it releases toxic chemicals and smoke that can damage the nervous system and lungs.

Will rubbing alcohol dissolve Styrofoam?

So: polystyrene is inherently easier to dissolve in any solvent. Isopropanol will tend to dissolve hydrogen bonding solutes where acetone just doesn't care about that. ... Over time, 91% isopropyl alcohol in a translucent polyethylene bottle can develop an acrid, vinegary odor.

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