AzoMittle Posted August 20, 2017 Posted August 20, 2017 I'm going through and taking stock of what I have. I found a container of NC that I thought I had gotten rid of. I opened it up and it has one hell of a scent to it, sharp is the best I can describe it, I've never experienced that with this stuff before. Is it safe and usable? Should I put it in the burn pile or what should I do with it?
AzoMittle Posted August 20, 2017 Author Posted August 20, 2017 Just noticed it's also now a solid block instead of a nice fluffy powder.
MrB Posted August 20, 2017 Posted August 20, 2017 I would just add solvent. Generally speaking, acetone. Cellulose thinner from a painters supply should work to, i guess. Both have evaporation rates you wouldn't believe, so it makes no difference on that end.It's going to take for ever to dissolve a solid chunk, but if it was a pure NC product to start with, then it should be fine to shake it every now and then to speed things up.
Mumbles Posted August 21, 2017 Posted August 21, 2017 I'd dispose of it. The sharp smell is likely nitrogen oxides indicating decomposition. I get kind of a mixture of HCl and bleach in the odor, but that doesn't really describe it. It often also comes with a color change of the NC to yellow or orange-ish. Once it begins to go, I wouldn't even try to save it. There is also the ultimate long term risk of spontaneous combustion if it's kept as a solid. 1
AzoMittle Posted August 21, 2017 Author Posted August 21, 2017 It's still a good white color but the tape around the container yellowed. HCl + Bleach sounds about right, hard to describe the scent but not pleasant. Sad to get rid of it since it's not something most places sell (and I have no interest in making myself (ya, ya I know, ping pong balls, but not the same)) but I'm not willing to risk it either. It's a pretty big block, I'm going to try and break it into pieces and send it off to the burn pit.
Arthur Posted August 21, 2017 Posted August 21, 2017 NC manufacture finishes by adding a small amount of a stabiliser against natural de-nitration, Once the stabiliser is consumed the NC is at risk of going bad quickly. You could put it into an acetone solution but it's best used soon or safely discarded.
NtzPrinter Posted August 22, 2017 Posted August 22, 2017 My 2 cents worth.... Dispose of it ASAP. I'd suggest safely burning at a good distance. Why take a risk on it becoming unstable? You can easily purchase double base smokeless powders at any gun shop or reloader supply. For all of the pyrotechnic purposes I use NC lacquer, I make the stuff fresh for each batch using Green Dot or any other double base smokeless powder and acetone. I certainly wouldn't keep it in my "area" if it's emitting weird smells... Just my opinion.
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