I just used potassium permanganate for the first time staining antlers, came out very good,I followed directions off a video - 1tsp.Potasium , 3oz rubbing alchohol but the one thing that I was not expecting was after about 5-10 min the mixture started to boil & steam in a plastic container that I was useing.Is this normal & now I am concerned about storage,if it can self ignite from moisture.Any body have any comments or answers about this stuff?
thanks!
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Material Safety Data Sheet. This should come with a chemical purchase. It tells you about flammabilty, storage, etc. If you don't have one do a search or call the place where you got the chemical.They are easy to find. If an individual told you a chemical was all safe and then something negative happened that person would feel terrible, if not be partly responsible. When you buy a chemical you have the right by federal law to a MSDS.
I have never seen that and I use it a lot. I store it in the container it comes in.
Merk index claims that it is incompatable with alcohols. It's probably giving off oxygen. It is also an oxidizer and may cause explosions when it contact with organic compounds...Alcohol of which is one. It is also incompatable with acids and will give off chlorine if mixed with HCL(hydrochloric acid aka...muratic acid).
It stains antlers by undergoing a oxidation-reduction reaction. The permanganate oxidizes organics and is itself reduced to manganese oxide producing the rich brown stain.
I've never used alcohol with it, always water. Is there an advantage with the alcohol?
The video is done by Penny White - for a taxidermy supply company.She does not say why they use alchohol but I asumed it was because it dryies quicker,but when this reaction takes place first it fizzes like alcaceltzer & then it actually heats up & boils.Next time I will use plain water. Thanks!
I've had mine stored in the isopropyl alcohol bottle that I mixed it in for nearly 5 years now and never had any "smoking". I know you can't mix it with glycerine as it will do that and then it will EXPLODE.
Potassium Permanganate will heat when mixed with alcohol. It will not when mixed with water. So no worry about moisture in storage. when the Potassium Permanganate in the alcohol is spent. Or the alcohol evaporates. it will no longer heat. It may also be diluted with water. to render it inactive. I simply mix small amounts, in metal containers.
George yours may not have heated because the amount of Potassium Permanganate may not have been sufficient to cause heating.
Hi, I have used this as a antler stain for years ( Jonas Supply ) told me about it many years ago.
Water is the safest, but Viginar works better & creates a much better stain. Depending on the amount of fluid, is what the strength of the stain will be.
Always leave the mixture away from any flameables til it sets a while to be sure it isn't any danger .
This chemical is ( definately strange, the other responces are Chemists, apparently & maybe do know more than most of us . SO PROCEED WITH CAUTION & it is great stain, for sure . Drug stores & chemical supply houses usually carry it, some PLumber supplies also carry it, a it has many SPECIAL uses !