Siv's Synthetic Brush and Boiling Water Experiment

[Siv]

In this thread, Dan asked a very interesting question:

Do these synthetic brushes melt or deform when immersed in extremely hot water? I boil water in an electric pot and then pour the boiling water into a ceramic cup. I wet the brush by dipping it in this extremely hot water several times, and because I face lather, I am constantly dipping the tips into the water as I lather. So what is the answer to this question.

Well I thought I should try and find an answer. So I started with two synthetic brushes that I have doubles of and that I don't mind destroying in the name of science:


On the left, a body shop synthetic and on the right, a goldennib synthetic knot.

Into the bowl they go and my wife poured the freshly boiled kettle as I snapped away.





A little too close to the bowl with the camera lens!


Well I didn't really see any change in the brushes. I picked one up and had a mash with it - well the bristles are much more flexible now.




I mashed a little harder... maybe I shouldn't have...


I ran then under a cold tap and this is what I was left with:

I dried the brushes as best I could - clearly they are a bit mangled. I rubbed them against my cheek though and they feel just like they did before the abuse.


On the right is the mangled Body Shop Synthetic and on the right is an unmolested one.


On the left if the mangled GoldenNib knot and on the right is an unmolested one.


So in conclusion, boiling water doesn't melt your bristles but if you're a monkey like me, you could make them look damn ugly!

 

[Flyfisherman]

In this thread, Dan asked a very interesting question:



Well I thought I should try and find an answer. So I started with two synthetic brushes that I have doubles of and that I don't mind destroying in the name of science:


On the left, a body shop synthetic and on the right, a goldennib synthetic knot.

Into the bowl they go and my wife poured the freshly boiled kettle as I snapped away.





A little too close to the bowl with the camera lens!


Well I didn't really see any change in the brushes. I picked one up and had a mash with it - well the bristles are much more flexible now.




I mashed a little harder... maybe I shouldn't have...


I ran then under a cold tap and this is what I was left with:

I dried the brushes as best I could - clearly they are a bit mangled. I rubbed them against my cheek though and they feel just like they did before the abuse.


On the right is the mangled Body Shop Synthetic and on the right is an unmolested one.


On the left if the mangled GoldenNib knot and on the right is an unmolested one.


So in conclusion, boiling water doesn't melt your bristles but if you're a monkey like me, you could make them look damn ugly!

Your test confirms my earlier conclusion (see following):

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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan Forest
While reading this last post, a question came to my mind. Do these synthetic brushes melt or deform when immersed in extremely hot water? I boil water in an electric pot and then pour the boiling water into a ceramic cup. I wet the brush by dipping it in this extremely hot water several times, and because I face lather, I am constantly dipping the tips into the water as I lather. So what is the answer to this question.

Dan...Water boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit (or 100 degree Celcius). Nylon 6 melting point is 420 degrees F; nylon 11 melting point is 365 degrees F; and nylon 6.6 melting point is 490 degrees F. These different nylons are sold under the trade names Capron®, Durethan®, Gelon®, Nylatron®, Rilsan®, Ultramid®, Vydyne®, Zytel®. Inevitably, each of the brushes uses one of these types of nylon. I don't think you can do any damage by "dipping" the brush into boiling water...Rgds and stay groovy...

 

[Dan Forest]

Siv: Thanks for the information and your donation of the two brushes. Yep, you made both of them look "damn ugly". But you did such a "damn good" job at making them look "damn ugly". Based on your scientific research and Fisherman's information, I'll order me your recommended #1 synthetic brush. Thanks again for your research and your review of the brushes.

Fisherman: Thanks for your information about the nylon fibers.

 

[BobinCA]

Siv: Thanks for the information and your donation of the two brushes. Yep, you made both of them look "damn ugly". But you did such a "damn good" job at making them look "damn ugly". Based on your scientific research and Fisherman's information, I'll order me your recommended #1 synthetic brush. Thanks again for your research and your review of the brushes.

Fisherman: Thanks for your information about the nylon fibers.

Would that be the TOBS synthetic?
If so, what source do you use?

 

[Dan Forest]

Would that be the TOBS synthetic?
If so, what source do you use?

You can find Siv's comparison of synthetic brushes at http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=105486