Did you know that styrofoam has an extended range of use beyond the common ones most people know about? All that most people know about styrofoam is that the material is used for making food packs and insulation, as well as packaging for cups, plates, trays, egg cartoons, etc.
However, the material has a more extended use than the few listed above. Styrofoam and gasoline have been found to be a powerful mix that creates a highly flammable substance. But the outcome can be harmful if not properly used.
Gasoline has a powerful impact on styrofoam when both of these components come in contact. This article unravels what styrofoam is and the reactions it creates when it comes in contact with gasoline and a few other substances like acetone, alcohol, etc.
What Is Styrofoam?
Styrofoam, a brand name often used to describe all types of expanded polystyrene foam (EPS), is a lightweight material predominantly used for insulation and crafting purposes.
Known for its distinctive blue color, the Dow Chemical Company originally trademarked Styrofoam.
Styrofoam is created from polystyrene, a petroleum-based plastic. The polystyrene is heated, expanded, and then cooled to form a solid structure. This structure consists of 98% air, which gives Styrofoam its light weight and excellent insulation properties.
EPS is highly resistant to heat transfer, making it ideal for use in building insulation, disposable coffee cups, and protective packaging for delicate items.
However, its porous nature can absorb liquids, potentially compromising its insulating capabilities when exposed to moisture for extended periods.
Contrary to popular belief, Styrofoam isn’t biodegradable. It takes hundreds of years to break down, contributing significantly to environmental pollution.
This fact has led to increased interest in finding creative ways to reuse and repurpose Styrofoam, such as using it in combination with gasoline to create sealants.
What Is Gasoline?
Gasoline, also known as petrol in some parts of the world, is a transparent, petroleum-derived liquid primarily used as fuel in internal combustion engines, such as those found in cars, motorcycles, and small trucks.
It’s an essential component in modern transportation, powering vehicles to move people and goods from one location to another.
Gasoline comes from crude oil, a naturally occurring fossil fuel. Crude oil contains various types of hydrocarbons, molecules consisting of hydrogen and carbon.
These hydrocarbons, in their raw form, aren’t very useful. The refining process is what transforms crude oil into usable products like gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and more.
One critical additive is an octane booster. The octane rating of gasoline is a measure of its resistance to knocking or pinging during combustion.
Knocking can cause damage to the engine, so higher-octane fuels are used in high-performance or turbocharged engines to prevent this.
Is Styrofoam Flammable?
As mentioned before, styrofoam is chemically inert. The reason behind it is because it has a stable inter-, molecular structure with long chains of hydrogen and carbons that lack functional groups.
This makes it inert toward any chemical reactions and because of this reason, they are also used as an insulator in many conditions. But the insulator comes with one big flaw this foam is highly flammable.
The reason behind this is that it has a huge supply of oxygen in it along with combustible hydrogen and carbon units.
This is why, a little spark or heat can ignite this material as their molecular structure itself has a lot of oxygen ready to be burned with fuel, in this case, are the carbons and hydrogen atoms in polystyrene.
The flame easily breaks the long chains of the foam and starts to quickly burn one by one. Styrofoam is often used where it is only used for heat insulation from the environment. For example, it is used in the insulation of roofs of homes and buildings to insulate heat from the sun.
It should be noted that the burning of styrofoam or simply dissolving it in gasoline can be seriously hazardous as all of these hydrocarbons are extremely toxic and can cause unrecoverable damage to human tissues.
Even the fumes coming from burning a styrofoam should be avoided and extreme care should be taken when dissolving it in gasoline for education purposes.
Is It Dangerous to Mix Gasoline and Styrofoam?
Even if you don’t mix them, gasoline and Styrofoam (or other things made of polystyrene) can be toxic and dangerous.
To give you a better idea, let’s talk about in greater detail the health and safety hazards of these two materials:
#1. Effects on Health.
Burning polystyrene, such as Styrofoam, releases big amounts of carbon monoxide, styrene, and other toxic chemicals. Short-term or long-term exposure to its poisonous fumes could cause various health problems.
What Happens If You Breathe in Polystyrene Fumes
Some of the symptoms that you might experience include:
- Blood and kidney problems
- Coughing
- Depression
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Increased nasal discharge
- Irritation of the inner lining of your nose, throat, and lungs
- Nausea
- Poor muscle control (ataxia)
- Vomiting
- Weakness
- Wheezing
To be clear, you’re only in trouble if you burn polystyrene (Styrofoam). It doesn’t only release styrene gas, but it also bonds with oxygen to form carbon monoxide, which is an odorless gas that’s responsible for thousands of deaths every year in the United States.
You don’t need to burn gasoline to experience adverse effects on your health. According to Medical News Today, adults exposed to 20 to 50 grams (0.7 to 1.8 ounces) of gasoline can suffer from severe intoxication.
And 350 grams (approximately 12 ounces) of gasoline is enough to kill a person who weighs 70 kilograms (about 154 pounds).
What Happens If You Breathe in Gasoline Fumes
Inhaling gasoline vapor can cause the following symptoms:
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Headache
- Irritation of the eyes, throat, and nose
- Nausea
- Death (if you inhale incredibly high levels of gasoline)
#2. May Result in a Homemade Torch or Firebomb.
What happens when you combine two highly flammable materials? With the correct ratio, making a homemade torch or firebomb is possible, which is extremely dangerous if you put Styrofoam in gasoline.
What Is a Napalm
Napalm, also referred to as firebomb or firebomb fuel gel mixture is a jelly-like substance often used to make explosives. Once ignited, it can burn at around 5,000°F (2,760°C) or higher. That’s hot enough to melt anything made of iron alloy and steel.
You can imagine what will happen if it sticks to your skin. It can cause extremely severe burns.
How to Make Napalm
People make napalm by adding gasoline (in varying concentrations) to a gelling or thickening powder that consists of naphthalene and palmitate (thus, the name “napalm”), as well as other additives.
Other earlier thickening agents include aluminum and soap flakes.
What Is Napalm-B
But some people think that the gasoline-Styrofoam mixture is more similar to that of Napalm-B, a napalm successor.
Napalm-B, also called super napalm and NP2 is made of 25% gasoline, 25% benzine (a colorless and flammable liquid mixture), and 50% polystyrene (which is what Styrofoam is). Others would use 33% gasoline, 21% benzene, and 46% polystyrene.
Warning: This is strictly for information only. Please don’t try making homemade napalm using gasoline and Styrofoam unless you don’t mind going to prison or hurting yourself and others.
Again, what happens when you put Styrofoam in gasoline? You’ll get a sticky and highly flammable material if you put styrofoam in gasoline. This is similar to Napalm, a homemade torch or firebomb, so do not attempt to make this at home.
What Happens If Gasoline Touches Styrofoam?
When you mix Styrofoam and gasoline, the Styrofoam breaks down. Gasoline breaks the molecules in Styrofoam down, making it brittle.
The air inside the Styrofoam would escape, leaving you with a sticky substance. Leave it alone to dry, and it will become solid, resembling plastic.
Over time, the gasoline can disintegrate the Styrofoam material. With the right ratio, you would end up with an explosive and sticky substance.
If you want your Styrofoam item to last for a long time and remain in good condition, you should store it away from places where you release gas.
Also, keep in mind that mixing Styrofoam with gasoline for an experiment is very dangerous.
Avoid doing such experiments at home, and if it’s for a school project, it’s important to do so in a controlled environment with the necessary safety gear like gloves, masks, and overalls.
Styrofoam and gasoline have been used to make homemade bombs, and Napalm B, which is also a dangerous experiment to practice.
What Are Other Substances Aside From Gas That Can Melt Styrofoam?
Other substances aside from gas that can melt Styrofoam include acetone, nail polish remover, vinegar, oils like fish oil, canola oil, olive oil, benzene, and xylene. If you want your Styrofoam product to last, you should keep it away from these products.
#1. Pure Acetone.
Acetone is a solvent that can break down polystyrene molecules, so it is highly effective at melting Styrofoam. If you mix acetone with Styrofoam, it will dissolve in an instant and become liquid.
But acetone is hard to use due to safety concerns and is highly flammable. Ensure you’re fully protected and working in a ventilated area before you mix them.
#2. Vinegar.
This might surprise you, but vinegar can also melt Styrofoam easily. It can get rid of the air in Styrofoam. But to use it, you should fill half a Styrofoam container with vinegar, mix it for a bit, and then leave it there for an hour. When you’re back, it must have melted.
#3. Nail Polish Remover.
If you don’t have access to acetone, you can consider polish remover. Polish remover is also made with acetone, so you can soak the Styrofoam in it for about 15 minutes.
You would have to rinse it and leave it to dry, then repeat this process until you have gotten rid of the Styrofoam.
#4. Oils.
Esterified oils like canola oil, olive oil, and fish oil are effective in dissolving Styrofoam if you leave it for the right amount of time.
Some essential oils can also be used to melt Styrofoam, like Bay, Lemon rinds, Thyme, Eucalyptus, and Rosemary. These contain volatile organic compounds and volatile hydrocarbons that can dissolve Styrofoam.
#5. Benzene.
Benzene is a liquid chemical that is used to manufacture plastic products, nylon, resins, pesticides, and fibers.
It can also be found in detergents, lubricants, dyes, adhesives, cleaning products, and paint strippers. This chemical can also melt Styrofoam, but be super careful when using it as it is highly flammable.
#6. Xylene.
Xylene is a sweet-smelling and colorless hydrocarbon that is highly flammable and toxic to humans.
It can be used to dissolve Styrofoam, but you should keep the different safety measures in mind. Some eco-friendly substitutes to it include carrot oil, rose oil, and pine oil.
What Does Mixing Styrofoam And Gas Make?
Styrofoam and gas mixture forms napalm. This is a strategy used in producing homemade napalms. Usually, when the styrofoam is released into gasoline, the material breaks down and forms a sticky and gelatinous substance.
The styrofoam and gasoline reaction automatically causes the air in the styrofoam to escape, resulting in a wet and gooey substance. The outcome can be a mess. However, the substance is highly flammable, hence must be kept out of the reach of the fire.
The thick and sticky substance from the gas and styrofoam mixture can stick to the skin or any surface and burn at the same time when launched with fire. This is why it was useful war material during the Second World War.
What Will Dissolve Styrofoam?
Acetone is a very powerful substance that can dissolve styrofoam in the similitude of sugar in hot water. If you pour a small quantity of acetone into a bowl and add styrofoam to the liquid, it will automatically break down in a moment.
Using acetone is one of the effective ways to melt the styrofoam. The solvent is a naturally occurring substance containing carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. It is mainly used in paint remover, nail polish remover, and varnish remover because of its ability to dissolve these substances.
Styrofoam and acetone cannot co-habit. The harsh content of acetone will dissolve the styrofoam, just like it does nail polish, paint, and varnish. This is a major reason why acetone is used in most industrial activities that involve removing tough clogs from machinery.
How do you clean Styrofoam?
Place a garden hose into a bucket, and turn on the water. Squeeze three to five drops of dishwashing detergent into the stream of water as the bucket fills.
Turn off the water when the bucket is approximately 3/4 full. Dip the soft sponge in the bucket until wet, then gently clean the styrofoam until clean.
Is Styrofoam good for gardening?
In pots with little to no drainage, the area of Styrofoam may be waterlogged and cause these plant roots to rot or die.
Styrofoam also contains no nutrients for plant roots to absorb. Too much water and lack of nutrients can cause beautiful container designs to suddenly wilt and die.
Is Styrofoam cancerous?
In the case of polystyrene, tiny amounts of styrene may remain following manufacture and it’s this substance that may migrate.
In 2014, the National Research Council in the US reviewed the evidence and concluded that styrene is “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen”.
Can You Use Styrofoam and Gasoline as a Roof Sealant?
Average Cost of Sealing a Roof
HomeAdvisor says the average cost of sealing a roof is $1,262, or a total average of $0.65 to $5 for every square foot. It can go as high as $3,200 or more. So, it’s unsurprising that some people will look for a cheaper alternative.
This brings us to these questions: Can you use styrofoam and gasoline as roof sealant? Is it as effective and safe as commercial sealants?
There are few large-scale, peer-reviewed studies on the viability of Styrofoam and gasoline as an alternative sealants. However, I found an investigatory project titled “Styrofoam and Gasoline as Alternative Sealant” online.
The objective of the investigatory project was to develop an alternative to commercial sealants using gasoline and Styrofoam.
If successful, the next step was to compare it to commercial sealants based on the following criteria: the amount of time needed to dry, the ability to prevent water from passing through, and the quality of its adhesiveness.
Materials
The materials used for this project were the following:
- 500 milliliters (roughly 16.9 ounces) of Special XCS gasoline
- Small pieces of Styrofoam
- Two containers
- Two galvanized irons (4×4)
- A commercial sealant
Procedure
The procedure was simple. They just cut the Styrofoam into pieces and pour them into the 500ml gasoline. Then, they mixed the two until they became thick and sticky.
Commercial vs. Alternative Sealant Drying Time
It only took 5 to 10 minutes for the commercial sealant to dry, while the alternative sealant gasoline plus Styrofoam took 15 to 20 minutes to dry. Commercial liquid sealants will take around 8 to 24 hours to dry completely.
Both Formed an Effective Water-resistant Film
Both types of sealant formed an effective water-resistant film. Although the alternative sealant could stick to the roof, it may quickly lose its effectiveness if you keep removing it.
Alternative Sealant’s Flammability
The researchers concluded that mixing gasoline and Styrofoam can create a sealant. However, there’s still one thing that needs to be addressed by future researchers—the flammability of this alternative sealant.
Should You Use the Mixture of Gasoline and Styrofoam as a Roof Sealant?
But the real question is, should you use these two materials for the said purpose? Definitely not! Remember: gasoline and Styrofoam are two of the key ingredients for making homemade firebombs.
Once ignited, even by accident, it will burn your roof without stopping and could cause severe injury or even death.
Alternative Sealant May Easily Break Down Due to Harsh Weather Conditions
Even if it’s not flammable, the mix will likely not last very long. Sooner or later, it will break down due to constant exposure to harsh weather elements.
Commercial Roof Sealants Are Still Your Best Option
Overall, commercial roof sealants are still your best option. If money’s an issue, acrylic roof sealants are usually the cheapest at $0.15 to $0.75 for every square foot.
Ask Your Handyman for a Recommendations
If you’re having a tough time choosing the best sealant for your particular problem, ask for recommendations from an experienced roofer, handyman, or someone at the hardware store.
Get a Sealant with C5 ISO Certification If You Live in Area with Harsh Conditions
Sealants usually have ISO certification, which determines how well they’ll protect the surface of your roof from corrosive elements.
C1 offers the least protection, while C5 provides the best protection. If you live in harsh weather conditions, experts recommend looking into a sealant with a C5 ISO certification.
Safety Precautions
#1. Proper Disposal of Materials.
Always dispose of gasoline and Styrofoam properly. Do not attempt to mix them under any circumstances.
#2. Emergency Response.
If you accidentally mix gasoline with Styrofoam, do not try to burn off the mixture. Contact local hazardous waste disposal services for safe removal and follow their instructions carefully.
#3.The Wrap-Up.
Understanding the dangerous reaction between gasoline and Styrofoam is crucial for safety and legal reasons.
This mixture creates a highly flammable and toxic substance that poses serious risks. Always handle these materials with care and be aware of the legal implications and ethical responsibilities regarding their use.
Prioritizing safety and adhering to legal standards is vital in preventing accidents and harmful incidents related to these common but potentially hazardous substances.
At What Temperature Does Styrofoam Catch On Fire?
Styrofoam will automatically catch fire when exposed to higher temperatures, around 680 degrees Fahrenheit. The material is highly flammable; hence, it must be kept away from naked flame.
However, burning styrofoam is a hazardous method of getting rid of the material. The burning process will do more harm than good.
Even though the fire will melt the material, burning polystyrene will give off toxic styrene chemicals, which can be dangerous to human health.
Styrene chemical has been linked to severe health problems like cancer, loss of vision and hearing, respiratory issues, etc.
Therefore, no matter what, do not take the risk of burning styrofoam in naked flame, especially in the presence close proximity of kids and where they live.
Does a mixture of gas and styrofoam make Napalm?
Napalm is made by polymerization of styrene in benzene under controlled and careful conditions.
But the mixture of gasoline and styrofoam due to its sticky and flammable property named a homemade Napalm bomb. Napalm is used in the war zone and for its preparation powdered palmitic acid is also used along with some other materials.
This mixture is loaded into a thin metal shell with a thermite starter. These bombs are dropped from aircraft at low altitudes on target. When they hit their thermite is started and Napalm is ignited.
So the napalm and a mixture of styrofoam and petrol are not similar. Both are sticky and combustive but the napalm bomb is quite different.
Does Alcohol Melt Styrofoam?
Usually, gasoline and acetone are the major solvents that dissolve styrofoam. However, any other organic solvent, like alcohol, can also break down the material.
It is revealed that alcohol, hot or oily food, and acid can partially break down styrofoam, causing styrene to leach into the food in the styrofoam container.
Therefore, using styrofoam packs or containers to hold hot food or alcohol is not ideal. Eating or drinking content in a styrofoam container can be very harmful to the body because of the styrene in the polystyrene from which the food pack was made.
It would be best to use alternative food containers or cups instead of the regular styrofoam containers used in most restaurants and food vendor outlets. Unfortunately, most people aren’t aware of the health hazards of using these containers.
How Can You Dispose of Styrofoam?
You can dispose of Styrofoam by recycling it, burning it, or composting it. You can also consider using alternatives to Styrofoam because of how difficult it is to dispose of it. Also, avoid mixing Styrofoam with gas to dispose of it, as this is dangerous.
Styrofoam is used to make food containers, cups, and plates, as it is a form of plastic. It is also used for building insulation. There are safer ways to make Styrofoam waste than mixing it with gas.
#1. Recycling.
You can recycle your Styrofoam cups, containers, and plates. Remove the liquid or food that was in the cup or container, and rinse it off. Then, put it in the recycling bin.
#2. Burning.
Another way to get rid of Styrofoam is to burn it, although this is dangerous. You should only burn it in a safe area and take the necessary precautions. Burning it would lead to chemicals being released into the air.
#3. Compost.
You can also consider composting Styrofoam. Chop it up into small pieces and then mix it with the compost pile. Although it would take a long time, it would eventually decompose.
The advisable way to get rid of Styrofoam is by recycling it because burning or composting it requires a lot of precautions to keep in mind. Also, recycling is safer for the environment than the other methods.
FAQs.
1. Why does Styrofoam dissolve in gasoline?
When Styrofoam comes in contact with gasoline, the gasoline breaks the interactions between the polystyrene molecules, causing the solid structure of Styrofoam to dissolve.
This dissolution results in a dramatic decrease in volume as the air trapped in the foam is released and a sticky, goo-like substance is left behind.
2. What is the environmental impact of a Styrofoam-gasoline mixture?
Both Styrofoam and gasoline carry considerable environmental concerns. Styrofoam is non-biodegradable and can persist in the environment for hundreds of years.
Gasoline, when burned, releases carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change and other harmful pollutants.
A mixture of Styrofoam and gasoline combines these environmental concerns. When this substance is disposed of improperly, it can contaminate soil and waterways, posing risks to wildlife and ecosystems.
Moreover, if it is burned, it releases harmful fumes, contributing to air pollution and posing health risks.
3. Does mixing Styrofoam and gasoline create napalm?
The mixture of Styrofoam and gasoline can sometimes be incorrectly referred to as homemade napalm. The term ‘napalm’ refers to a specific type of incendiary substance used in combat, which originally combined naphthenic and palmitic acids.
While the Styrofoam-gasoline mixture and napalm may share some superficial similarities, such as a thick, sticky consistency and flammability, they are not the same thing.
The formulation of genuine napalm is far more complex and dangerous. The homemade mixture lacks the consistency, heat generation, and burning duration of real napalm.
4. Can the Styrofoam and gasoline mixture be used for any practical applications?
While it has been used as a makeshift adhesive, sealant, or even as a fire starter in emergency survival situations, these uses are discouraged due to the mixture’s environmental impact and potential safety hazards.
Using this mixture in a practical, everyday setting is highly inadvisable because of its dangerous nature and harmful effects.
5. Is it legal to make a Styrofoam and gasoline mixture at home?
Legality can depend on the specific region or country you reside in. In many places, creating a Styrofoam and gasoline mixture at home could be considered a danger, especially if it’s used for destructive purposes or disposed of irresponsibly.
Also, the creation of such a mixture could violate various environmental and public safety regulations.
Final Words
Indeed, Styrofoam and gasoline mixture can be very disastrous if not handled with care. Therefore, whether you’re trying to make an alternative sealant out of the melted styrofoam and gasoline or trying to dispose it, be sure to avoid bringing the substance in contact with naked fire.
Meanwhile, if you don’t have a need for the substance, there’s no point trying to experiment by manufacturing homemade napalm. This is especially for fellows with children who may want to try what they’ve seen older people do.
Lastly, do not attempt to burn used styrofoam because it contains toxic pollutants. To keep safe, follow the recommendations above to discard them appropriately.