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I was at a reptile show and an acrylic cage vendor told me that acrylic will change color due to coming into contact with substrate for extended periods of time. Has anyone observed this?
Snark..thanks BUT, I wasn't concerned about chemicals per se, like pouring chemical X on it.Acrylics are subject to degradation over time from various chemicals. Determine the chemical content of the substrate and use this chart to determine the effects, if any. If the color changes it is likely the strength of the material has also been compromised.
http://www.eplastics.com/Plastic/Plastics_Library/Chemical-Resistance-of-Plexiglass-Acrylic
Assuming you are referring to poly(methyl methacrylate), PMMA, it is also subject to discoloration from certain bacteria, especially Cyanobacteria and Archaea.
Almost certainly. Acrylic has a micro porous surface. I forget the term they use for that. It presents an ideal habitat for certain bacteria. You've seen how easily certain solvent based chemicals can mark it, as a felt tipped marker. The invading bacteria produce various chemical coloring agents. Cyanobacteria produces blue, another common one makes brown or orange, and one other that comes to mind makes an interesting pinkish color. The chemicals these bacteria produce attack the plastic, usually aided by oxygen which all acrylics are subject to some degradation from, and, usually, permanently stain the plastic's surface.So bacteria from coco fiber causes change in color for this substrate?
Yes aware of microporosity haha..and most definitely aware of cyano's oh yes.Almost certainly. Acrylic has a micro porous surface. I forget the term they use for that. It presents an ideal habitat for certain bacteria. You've seen how easily certain solvent based chemicals can mark it, as a felt tipped marker. The invading bacteria produce various chemical coloring agents. Cyanobacteria produces blue, another common one makes brown or orange, and one other that comes to mind makes an interesting pinkish color. The chemicals these bacteria produce attack the plastic, usually aided by oxygen which all acrylics are subject to some degradation from, and, usually, permanently stain the plastic's surface.
The coloration cannot be removed because the surface of the plastic itself has been chemically altered.