morriso2002 wrote:
>
>
> Hi all,
>
> I had a minor disaster recently when a glass jar I'd been using for 15
> years to store some of my precious dwindling stock of anhydrous FeCl3
> developed a crack. It went unnoticed and as the deliquescent crystals
> absorbed water from the air the etchant liquified and ran all over the
> place causing great domestic disharmony (to put it mildly). Fortunately
> there was not much in the jar at the time.
>
> I'm down to my last half kilo of the stuff, which I've been using for
> the last 40 years. Ferric chloride is now impossible to obtain down here
> in solid form and yes, I know I'll eventually have to go to another
> system. I've already run some experiments with HCl/H2O2 but that's not
> what this post is about.
>
> My question is, how best to store it? My last stock is in a sealed
> plastic bag but I don't really trust it. Does FeCl3 attach glass
> slowly?? The old jar looked rather corroded where it broke but had
> always looked fine up to now. Big glass jars are getting hard to find
> now too. I'm tempted to scour the supermarket for anything in a suitable
> jar with a plastic lid.
>
> Oh, and if anyone knows where I can get a kilo or two of solid FeCl3
> (hydrated or anhydrous, but prefer the latter) in Melbourne Australia,
> I'd be very grateful.
>
> Cheers to all,
>
> Morris
I think liquid ferric chloride is more commonly sold. It is quite
concentrated at S.G of 1.47 . It won't attack glass, but breakage is
always a danger. Store the anhydride or solutions in common polyethylene
containers sealed air tight. Those black 5L plastic jerry cans are ok.
Maybe for another 40 years if kept away from UV light.
How much do you want ? I'm in N.W suburbs of Melbourne , and can part
with a few litres.
Adam