Battery acid and PVC material

[Pack Rat]

I usually change out my motorcycle battery every year and have excess acid left. I took a piece of repair PVC that came with my SIB and a wood stir stick and poured the acid on them. It's been about a week now. The wood stir stick definitely discoloured and I would guess will be weakened? The PVC shows no sign of anything yet?

A week later...

The cardboard on the second picture is fresh in case your wondering.

 

[partskenn]

Re: Battery acid and PVC material

That's a surprise, PVC must be a lot tougher than I would have thought. Battery acid certainly eats right thru clothing, shop rags etc.

 

[Pack Rat]

Re: Battery acid and PVC material

You can see some of the acid is still just pooled in droplets on top.

 

[paulpost]

Re: Battery acid and PVC material

To me looks like all batterries are made of plastic(aka PVC) but I might be wrong.
what sea rider sed?
Hapy boating

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Battery acid and PVC material

Do you think PVC will hold Universal Acid, the one that melts decks as seen on Alien, 8th Passenger ? Jokes appart, modern pvc has evolved nicer over the years compared to old pvc sibs, are lasting much longer; now you can find them in many fabric gauges to please more boating requirements. Would like to do same experiment with gasoline or diessel to see what happens.

Happy Boating

 

[DavePalmer]

Re: Battery acid and PVC material

Great finding! I was contemplating on buying normal batteries to marine specific batteries coz normal batteries are considerably cheaper at my place.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Battery acid and PVC material

Marine batteries lasts much longer charged, have higher amps than standard batteries, they do cost more though.

Happy Boating

 

[RickVS]

Re: Battery acid and PVC material

What does SIB and RIB stand for? Thanks.

 

[susp3nd]

Re: Battery acid and PVC material

sib - soft inflatable boat
rib - rigid inflatable boat

although i could be wrong

What is a RIB? RIBs, sometimes known as rigid inflatable boats, rigid hull inflatable boats, or RHIBs, are powerboats fitted with inflatable collars or tubes. As well as excellent fendering, this makes RIBs almost unsinkable and suitable for use in all sorts of conditions. RIBs are some of the most versatile boats available and are used as rescue boats by the RNLI, as patrol boats by the military, as work boats in the North Sea, as race boats in international competitions, as tenders to yachts and superyachts, and as general purpose all round cruising boats by families around the world

 

[Titanium48]

Re: Battery acid and PVC material

Would like to do same experiment with gasoline or diessel to see what happens.

Agreed. Carbon chain polymers like PVC, polyethylene and polypropylene are not attacked by acids, but can be softened and weakened by organic solvents.

 

[riverandocean]

Re: Battery acid and PVC material

Interesting test!