Dissolving rubber is a complicated task due to the durability and versatility of the material. It is resilient and it is not going to break down easily without an appropriate dissolving solution.
This is why it’s common to want to know what will and won’t dissolve rubber.
One solution that is often cited as having an impact on rubber would be acetone. You will wonder, does acetone dissolve rubber?
Acetone does not dissolve rubber. If acetone is poured onto rubber and allowed to settle for a long time, it will start to deterioration process at a snail’s pace. This is often surface-level degradation.
If the goal is to look for something that will dissolve rubber instantly then acetone is not the right option.
It will not have that type of effect on the rubber.
While acetone and rubber don’t go together, this does not mean acetone is potent enough to pierce through rubber causing it to dissolve or lose shape.
This article will explain some of the reasons why acetone does not dissolve rubber and what to account for when mixing these two.
Table of Contents
Best Acetone For Rubber (EDITOR’S CHOICE)
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Reasons Acetone Does Not Dissolve Rubber
1. Not Strong Enough To Pierce Through Rubber
The most common reason for acetone not dissolving rubber is as simple as the formulation not being strong enough to cut through.
Rubber is durable and it is not going to bend easily. This means it can withstand quite a bit when it comes to interacting with harsh chemicals including acetone.
While rubber is not going to stay 100% intact when in contact with acetone, it will do well in not completely dissolving.
This is due to the acetone not having enough potency to cut through and dissolve the rubber in its entirety.
At best, the acetone is going to begin to chip away at the surface of the rubber and make a few dents.
Other than this, even a lot of acetone is not going to do much with the rubber. It will take a long time for the rubber to change shape or be impacted by the acetone.
2. Slow-Acting Results
Most experiments that are done when it comes to combining rubber and acetone showcase how slow-acting the results are.
Let’s assume you pour acetone onto the rubber hoping for an instant reaction.
You are not going to get it.
At best, the acetone is going to settle into the rubber and then do its work slowly. This means it will begin to chip away at the rubber’s surface over days and it is not going to be as impactful as you think.
It takes a long time for the rubber to degrade due to acetone.
3. Surface-Level Changes
What types of changes do occur when rubber is soaked in acetone?
In general, you are not going to see much of an instant reaction and it will take quite a bit of time for anything to happen.
For the most part, the rubber is going to stay intact but the surface will begin to change. This is due to the impact of the acetone on the surface of the rubber.
This is why it’s important to mention that acetone does not pierce through the rubber, which is why rubber doesn’t dissolve due to acetone.
When these two interact, only the rubber’s surface is going to be impacted slightly.
What Happens When You Put Acetone On Rubber?
When you put acetone on rubber, it begins to settle. This period tends to be prolonged and eventually, the rubber will begin to deteriorate. This often occurs at the surface level as acetone can’t dissolve rubber.
Can You Put Rubber In Acetone?
You can put rubber in acetone but it will degrade over time. However, acetone will not dissolve rubber and at best will impact the material’s surface.
It is still not recommended to put the rubber in acetone as it will initiate degradation. This can get worse even as the rubber is taken out of the acetone later.
Final Thoughts
Does acetone dissolve rubber?
Acetone does not dissolve rubber. However, it can begin the rubber’s degradation process by impacting its surface. This is why it’s best not to mix the two if the goal is to preserve the rubber’s integrity.
If the goal is to dissolve the rubber then there are better options available for you to use in a situation such as this.
You will need something that is far more potent and will cut through the rubber instantly. Acetone is more slow-acting and is not going to produce the type of results you are after.
When in a situation such as this, take your time to figure out what will work on the rubber and what will not.
Acetone is not going to get the job done.
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