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.
The Science of Dissolution
The material commonly called Styrofoam is expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam, which is structurally about 98% trapped air and only 2% polystyrene polymer. Polystyrene is a thermoplastic, a long-chain molecule whose chains are nonpolar.
Gasoline, a complex mixture of hydrocarbon compounds, is also largely nonpolar. This shared characteristic drives the interaction, following the principle “like dissolves like.” Gasoline acts as an effective solvent for the nonpolar polystyrene.
The gasoline molecules penetrate the polystyrene structure, separating the long polymer chains. This process is a physical dissolution, not a chemical reaction, as the polystyrene molecule is not fundamentally altered.
As the solid polymer dissolves, the vast amount of trapped air is released, causing the instant collapse of the foam volume.
What Is Styrofoam?
Styrofoam is a kind of plastic manufactured from expanded polystyrene (a petroleum-based substance). The main component of Styrofoam is styrene. This material is refined to form polystyrene through a process known as polymerization.
Then, an agent (hydrofluorocarbon) is added to the polystyrene. After that, the combo is extruded and allowed to go through an expansion process under pressure in order to form a foam board.
The Styrofoam produced from this chemical process can be used for various purposes, including food containers, insulation, and packaging for breakable items like cups, plates, eggs, etc. Unfortunately, research reveals that the material is non-biodegradable.
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.
Why Does Styrofoam Dissolve in Gasoline?
Styrofoam dissolves in gasoline because it shares a similar molecular structure to that of gasoline.
Styrofoam (polystyrene) contains high polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are organic compounds that are found in coal, gasoline, and crude oil. Substances with similar molecular structures usually dissolve in each other.
Styrofoam and gasoline have similarities in their molecular structures, along with some kinds of plastic.
That’s why it degrades when mixed up with gasoline. When you put Styrofoam into gas, the hydrocarbons interact freely, and the high-energy bonds break so that the single bonds can become more stable.
So when they are in contact, Styrofoam would break down and release the trapped air. It would create a slimy liquid called an amorphous solid material. This is a kind of material that is liquid, but once it is cooled, it becomes solid, like plastic or glass.
If you destroy Styrofoam in gasoline, it will give you a gooey-like substance that looks like glue or melted cheese. But that doesn’t mean it’s safe. This substance would also be highly flammable and can cause an accident if care is not taken.
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.
Environmental Impact of the Styrofoam-Gasoline Mixture
When Styrofoam and gasoline merge, they form a gooey, sticky substance. This mixture amplifies the environmental challenges of its individual components.
If improperly disposed of, this mixture can contaminate soil and groundwater with a persistent, toxic sludge.
The mixture’s persistence in the environment is concerning. Since Styrofoam doesn’t break down naturally, any gasoline-Styrofoam blend will likewise linger for centuries.
The harm to flora and fauna can be extensive. Terrestrial and aquatic creatures might ingest the substance, leading to poisoning or suffocation.
Moreover, if the mixture is burnt, it releases noxious fumes into the atmosphere. In addition to carbon dioxide, incomplete combustion can create carbon monoxide, a lethal gas, and various harmful hydrocarbons.
Besides contributing to air pollution and global warming, these emissions can have severe health implications, including respiratory ailments and cardiovascular problems.
The Hazards of the Mixture
Highly Flammable
The resulting mixture of gasoline and Styrofoam is extremely flammable and more dangerous than gasoline alone. It can ignite easily and burn at a high temperature, making it a severe fire hazard.
Toxic Fumes
Burning this mixture releases toxic fumes that are harmful to both humans and the environment. Inhalation of these fumes can cause respiratory problems and other health issues.
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”.
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.
FAQs.
Q: 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.
Q: 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.
Q: 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.
Q: 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.
Q: 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.