In which a biochemist uses a fume hood

Acrylic labware is used in many laboratories, in many different fashions. Some experimental apparatuses are made of acyrlic thermoplastics, but in this laboratory setting they are mostly found in sinks, washing areas, and drying racks. (Figure 1) One of the unfortunate coincidences of this placement is that acrylic thermoplastics often come into contact with organic cleaning solvents such as ethanol. Upon contact with ethanol, acrylic labware has a tendency to crack and become distorted, often ruining its usability. (Figure 2) Here, we report the use of the organic compound chloroform to repair these lab apparatuses through liberal application and clamping of the broken acrylic labware.

Figure 1 - Acrylic Drying Rack and Washing Area

Figure 2 - Broken Acrylic Drying Rack

Saftey and Precautions
Chloroform is a known toxic agent, with vapors causing dizziness, headache, and fatigue. All uses of chloroform should be in a fume hood with proper ventilation, as well as proper eye protection and gloves. Don't drink this stuff.

Materials

• Something broken and acrylic - cracks are easiest to repair, with shattered materials becoming more difficult as the complexity of assembly increases.
• Pipette and tips to deliver chloroform to acrylic (P1000 used here, other methods may be more feasible depending on the repair
• Chloroform (Sigma, ACS Grade)
• Tape and / or clamps 
• Paper towels.
• Gloves, goggles, and other protection

Procedure

Figure 3 - Closeup of Broken Rack

Firstly, the rack was removed using a standard Phillips screwdriver and examined. (Figure 3) Then, using sheer force, the cracked areas were re-formed as best as possible, squeezing until an approximate reformation of the original shape was obtained. Help was requested from other lab members, but not delivered. Next, using tape and / or clamps, the cracked areas were secured in this conformation so that upon the release of force, no shifting occurred. (Image not shown due to the difficulties of operating a camera, tape and chloroform in a crowded fume hood) Next, using a P1000 pipette, small quantities of chloroform (< 1 mL at a time) were gently delivered into the crevices, allowing all interacting surfaces to be sufficiently exposed to chloroform. After leaving for lunch and eating a chocolate shake, the clamps and tape were removed, and the structural integrity of the repair tested, and the acrylic labware replaced using the same standard Phillips screwdriver.

Results

Our initial conclusion from this experiment is that chloroform can indeed be used to repair broken labware, but that the method has flaws, and sufficient technique is required. Firstly, the nature of acrylic does not lend itself to perfect repairs, and some gaps / angles remained after the joining of breaks. Secondly, the spreading of chloroform onto other surfaces near and far from the original repair resulted in marred acrylic, which damaged aesthetics but not functionality. This could be remedied by steadier hands, a more thorough tape / clamping job, as well as a more functional workspace. OR HELP FROM OTHER LAB MEMBERS. (Figure 4)

Figure 4 - Repaired Acrylic Labware

While sturdy, and certainly repaired, the structural integrity of chloroform-welded acrylic labware does not match that of the original, unbroken labware. Upon addition of sufficient force to the repaired area, the crack was re-introduced, but the damage was limited to that of the original repair. This test-induced crack was repaired utilizing the same methods listed above, and not tested again, but rather just put back where it belonged.

Conclusion

In a functional laboratory environment, chloroform can be used to repair broken acrylic labware with good reproducibility and success. Care should be taken both for the aesthetics of the repair, as well as for the inherent dangers of using toxic chemicals. In conclusion, we report that our washing area no longer drips water everywhere, and that unnamed colleagues should be more careful when spraying ethanol everywhere, Jon.

Correspondence should be addressed to soopaflysa@gmail.com 

Thanks to forums user OnceIWasAnOstrich for this idea.