PLA and powder contact?

[joebaja]

Because I am not always diligent about emptying the hopper on my Hornady L&L AP, Titegroup turned the plastic hopper tube into a lava lamp. I have some polycarbonate tubing, but it is a bit undersized. I was thinking of making a sleeve on the 3D printer. Although it won't be in direct contact since it will be between the hopper base and the tube, I am concerned that even the outgassing from a double base powder might cause an issue. Anyone here have experience with what TG does to PLA?

[farmerjim]

My old Lyman 55 has a brass hopper.

[tazman]

Interesting.
I realize this isn't the answer to your question but, I currently have Titegroup loaded in my Lee Pro Auto Disk hopper and it has been in there for two weeks now with no ill effects on the hopper that I can see.
I just got done dumping it out to see if there was a problem because of this thread.

[OldBearHair]

Sounds almost like a plastic fishing worm that accidently gets next to a $8.00 plastic lure. Melts even the lure box as well. Wonder if Hornady has an answer or replacement.

[ReloaderFred]

Hornady will replace the plastic hopper, but if you leave most pistol powders in them, they're going to melt. Polycarbonate is just as bad.

You can also measure the hopper and order chemical resistant replacements from McMaster-Carr, or several other industrial supply houses. Some will even cut them to length for you.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[joebaja]

Good call on the McMaster-Carr. Hadn't thought about that since I was hoping to use what was on hand. Bummer to hear that polycarbonate is a no-go. At least ordering a tube I should be able to get material that is already in the right dimensions without having to sleeve it. I have been similarly lazy with my Lee powder measure on occasion, and the hopper on that has shown no ill effect. I think it is just the plastic that Hornady chose to use requires me to either dump out the remainder or just keep loading until the hopper is empty. It's finally getting cool enough to consider the latter.

[ReloaderFred]

I replaced the hopper on one of my powder measures with polycarbonate, and Bullseye started etching it overnight, which is why I said it doesn't work.

[VHoward]

I just don't leave powder in the hopper overnight. The left over always gets put back in the black bottle it came out of.

[sigep1764]

I thought I was alone in leaving my powder in my hoppers. I only use Red Dot for simplicity's sake right now. I have 2 Dillon measures and an RCBS Uniflow and do not have any discoloration issues. That might change in the near future. Does anyone know if 748 or Reloader 7 or 15 have the discoloration issues?

[VHoward]

Because I am not always diligent about emptying the hopper on my Hornady L&L AP, Titegroup turned the plastic hopper tube into a lava lamp. I have some polycarbonate tubing, but it is a bit undersized. I was thinking of making a sleeve on the 3D printer. Although it won't be in direct contact since it will be between the hopper base and the tube, I am concerned that even the outgassing from a double base powder might cause an issue. Anyone here have experience with what TG does to PLA?

PLA is made from corn starch and sugar cane I believe and will break down on it's own without powder exposure. The Polylactic Acid molocule from corn starch and sugar cane. I'm thinking the outgassing from the powder would corrode it just as fast.