Clean It Up

UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Mike Halliday on November 07, 2015, 02:35:22 pm

Title: How hot???
Post by: Mike Halliday on November 07, 2015, 02:35:22 pm

Did a job today using my propane water heater which I've just adapted to give more controllable heat, but I think it is still getting a bit hot..... How hot does it have to be too melt plastic?

My inline filter was pressed  against the QC, it melted the plastic and welded its self to the filter. I had to hit it with a hammer to break it away.

The white substance that looks like mastic is the melted plastic

(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1446907008_image.jpg)

(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1446906882_image.jpg)

Title: Re: How hot???
Post by: christ6008 on November 07, 2015, 02:51:22 pm

Found this on tinterweb...

Various melting points of different types of plastic:

The melting point of HDPE (High Density Polyethelyne) is about 130 ºC
The melting point of LDPE (Low Density Polyethelyne) is about 110 ºC
The melting point of PET (Polyethylene terphthalate) is about 250—260 ºC
The melting point of PP (Polypropylene) is about 160—170 ºC
The melting point of PS (Polystyrene) is about 70—115 ºC
The melting point of PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) is about 75—90 ºC

Title: Re: How hot???
Post by: Mike Halliday on November 07, 2015, 05:05:29 pm

I can see how if the filter is made from the first 2 this could have happened, I thought... "Bloody hell!! That water must have got  hot"

I wanted something that could get really hot with high flow for tile & grout cleaning with a spinner ( anyone got one for sale??? ). Looks like this will do the job

Title: Re: How hot???
Post by: Doug Holloway on November 07, 2015, 05:17:25 pm

Hi Mike

Plastics don't have melting points as such but soften over a range when they will flow(thermoplastic).

As previously mentioned all plastics will have different softening/melting points depending on their composition, molecular weight. etc

It is important to bear in mind that plastic fibres with a low softening point, e.g polypropylene will be damaged by a hot pipe on them , particularly if there is any pressure. This will cause irreversible damage..

I know you are a sensible lad and will cover any carpet which you  are going over before reaching your tile and grout.

Cheers

Doug

Title: Re: How hot???
Post by: Mike Halliday on November 07, 2015, 05:30:18 pm

Cover the carpet that's obvious...... Not Cover the lawn that's the real shocker :o :o

Title: Re: How hot???
Post by: Doug Holloway on November 08, 2015, 09:32:42 am

Yes it does raise a lot of questions when using water that hot, although grass is remarkably resilient!