O-rings

[skippinge]

Can anyone tell me where can i buy "VITON" o-rings in metric measure in England. (Small quantity)
Regards Flemming
Copenhagen/Denmark

[the_viffer]

Blackgates (tel [phone]) list black viton rings of 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10mm diameter by 1mm section.

[chris vine]

Viton, a note of caution.

Hi, while being the usual, not very safety conscious, model engineer, I would like to point out that viton is potentially dangerous if overheated in a fire.

The viton rubber will decompose to a charred mess but also hydrofluoric acid, one of the nastiest chemicals you could come into contact with. Sometimes the charred o ring will look intact with the hf inside it, ready to squirt out when prodded.

I came across this warning in a police station garage once, in reference to the danger in burnt out cars.

If you doubt what I say, just type viton fire hydrofluoric acid into google.....

Cheers
Chris.

[SteveW]

Guys,

Re the hydrofluric acid warning. I friend looked into this one and discovered an antidote. Unfortuneately, not only is this stuff expensive and is usually to special order only, it also has a limited shelf life (it figures!).

[jackrae]

Calcium Gluconate is the antidote
Available either to order from your chemist or via international mail order - simply type the name into google for addresses

Like all products it has a shelf-life but as it is a chemical salve rather than a consumable medicine don't get hung up on current idiotic fashion of "best-by" dates

Just how did we manage to survive without plastic and refrigerators

jack

[Tim Bayliss]

As we are discussing hydroflouric acid, which is commonly used in several 'chemical' industry plants, I would like to point out that it is possible get a 'splash' and not realise. This acid only attacks the calcium in the bones and will pass through the skin and the muscle tissue with very little effect but starts to work when it gets to the bones, so you may not notice it straight away or think it's only water or something.
DON'T MESS ABOUT WITH THIS STUFF, avoid it if at all possible, take extra precautions if you have to deal with possibly contaminated items, wear gloves, goggles and other safety clothing. If you seriously believe you've been contaminated get down to your local A&E asap, it's not really a DIY proposition.
At a plant where I worked a young engineer fell into the settling pond up to his waist. He thought it was just water but after about 5 mins his nether regions started to tingle so he hit the first safety shower he came to which set off the emergency response alarm and he was taken into the very well equiped first aid centre.
Because there was a chance of HF he was stripped of all lower garments and the young and quite pretty nurse had immediately to rub in the jelly-like antidote over all the effected parts for some considerable time 'to be on the safe side'. Luckily when the pond was tested there was no HF.
After his 'ordeal' I suggested that he should be more carefull around the settling pond in future, to which he replied (with a far away look in his eyes) that if he had known of the treatment he may well have tried it before!
Enjoy our hobby safely.
Regards,
Tim