Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;NorthKorea, post: 2483090, member: 29643&quot;]It&#039;s not reacting with plastic, per se. It&#039;s reacting with the gases released by chemicals associated with the plastic. Kentucky&#039;s explanation is likely the most thorough, but, simply put, the softening element of PVC is an additive coming from a group of molecular material classified as &quot;plasticizers.&quot;</p><p><br /></p><p>PVC is rigid and brittle at room temperature, but when it&#039;s heated up, it becomes more malleable. Think of how a plastic container is a tad bit softer when you leave it in the microwave too long. Now, while the PVC is hot (and therefore malleable), plasticizers are added to the mix. They wiggle their way between the PVC molecules preventing those molecules from rebonding into the rigid matrix.</p><p><br /></p><p>Over time (and whenever it heats up), the treated PVC gases out some of the plasticizer which reacts with some of the air, creating hydrochloric (HCl) acid. What makes matters worse is that PVC is actually pretty resilient against our acidic friend, which means the gas may be forced to stay in place longer, which means your coins are forced into a high reactivity environment.</p><p><br /></p><p>Now, while true that the metals will normally oxidize over time, the presence of HCl changes things. The HCl means that acid is around destroy the bonds of the metal. This is the reason why the PVC &quot;gunk&quot; is bad, which leads to the use of acetone to break up the PVC and plasticizers. The gunk is an acidic environment. If it&#039;s left to interact with your coin, you may find a pitted surface under the blue/green slime.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in