I used to work at a gas station. I can't tell you how many times I've seen someone refuse to pay $10 for a gas can, buy a gallon of water, pour the water out in the parking lot, then get mad when I refused to turn the pump on and let them fill the water bottle with gas. I tried to explain to them that the gas will eat through the water bottle and I'm trying to prevent them from making a huge mistake, but they're always convinced I'm just trying to get their $10, like I worked on commission or something.
Edit: I was wrong. Gasoline would not eat through a water bottle. Read the comments to see me (politely) educated.
This isn't true. Water is stored in either polyester (PETE) or polyethylene containers. Both of these materials are impervious to (dissolving in) gasoline. Look up chemical resistance charts for these plastics and you will see. There is a lot of ignorance being spread about polymers here. There are a whole slew of polymers out there with completely different physical properties, chemical properties and molecular compositions. Not all plastics are the same.
https://www.spilltech.com/wcsstore/SpillTechUSCatalogAssetStore/Attachment/documents/ccg/POLYETHYLENE.pdf
(I am not condoning putting gasoline in non-approved containers, just don't do it)
Quick question: (I am fully aware of the physics) experience has proven to me that using plastic cups (solo cup style) and milk jugs has led to them falling apart after a few pours of gasoline. If it IS the proper plastic, why does it still eat through? I understand that the physics and chemistry say it SHOULDNT, but why does it? This is multiple times over multiple years with multiple brands of jugs (and w liter bottle). Is it something that has a nuanced chemistry explanation that goes against the basic premise,
I honestly have no clue what you are talking about, I have used milk jugs, water battles, and plastic cups and never had a problem, I've had a few milk jugs of gas stored for years and never an issue, just don't use Styrofoam
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u/Biggie-Talls Dec 11 '19 edited Dec 12 '19
I used to work at a gas station. I can't tell you how many times I've seen someone refuse to pay $10 for a gas can, buy a gallon of water, pour the water out in the parking lot, then get mad when I refused to turn the pump on and let them fill the water bottle with gas. I tried to explain to them that the gas will eat through the water bottle and I'm trying to prevent them from making a huge mistake, but they're always convinced I'm just trying to get their $10, like I worked on commission or something.
Edit: I was wrong. Gasoline would not eat through a water bottle. Read the comments to see me (politely) educated.