What chemicals are in styrene?

[Ace-Garageguy]

Styrene isn't a component of polyester.

I beg your pardon sir, but it mose certainly is. You are confusing styrene (monomer) and polystyrene. Styrene monomer (liquid) is used as a diluent to alter viscosity of polyester resin, (thermoset) and as such the EPA has very specific guidelines about "styrene emissions" from open-molding processes. Styrene monomers (liquid) are also the base for polystyrene (thermoplastic solid). I've only been in the composites industry for 40 years, but don't believe me. Google it, or just go to this site. http://www.fiberglasssupply.com/pdf/polyester/StyMon.pdf

Don't ever burn polyurethane either, because IT RELEASES HYDROGEN CYANIDE.

Edited June 23, 2012 by Ace-Garageguy

[Art Anderson]

Now, on the other hand, vinyl almost disappeared from the scene about 1974-75, when it was discovered that vinyl monomer gas, which was being released during the heating process for injection molding, was a carcinogen. That is exactly why vinyl tires virtually disappeared from model kits for awhile back in the mid-late 1970's. It was also the presence of vinyl monomer in excessive quantities which caused the deadly "Revell Tire Disease" that is widely remembered by modelers who were active in model cars in the 60's and 70's.

Fortunately, vinyl monomer can be recaptured during the manufacturing process of vinyl feedstocks used in molding etc., and such vinyl monomer gas as is released in the heating to molten state of vinyl pellets for injection molding can be exhausted away from mold press operators and the surrounding air, which allowed vinyl's continued use.

How do I know all this? From late 1975 to midsummer 1978, I was the Personnel Director for an Essex Group Wire Assembly Division factory here in Lafayette, where the HUGE dashboard wiring harnesses for Lincoln Continental MkIV and MkV and 75-77 Thunderbird dash harnesses were built. Those harnesses (huge they were, with nearly 700 circuits, weighing in about 70lbs) had perhaps a hundred molded-on-wire vinyl plugs which were molded right there in the plant. I stepped in, had to conduct safety seminars regarding vinyl monomer gas, and what DuPont and other chemical companies had done to virtually eliminate all dangers from the release of vinyl monomer into the air around the press operators. US chemical companies making vinyl feedstocks quickly figured out how to recapture excess monomer, and eliminate virtually all the release of vinyl monomer gas in injection molding, the rest was effective exhaust duct installation above each and every injection molder we used--pretty much the end of the problem.

And, by about 1978 or so, PVC (vinyl) tires made their return to our model car kits. Today, about the only "tire disease" we see in newly produced model car kits is when someone falls asleep at the switch, neglects to specify the proper grade of vinyl to be used in model car kit tires.

Art

[Harry P.]

My aunt used to have those clear plastic covers on her couch and living room chairs when I was a kid.

I think maybe she was trying to kill us!