PTFE fine powder

[1775usmarine]

I've got 20 empty approximately 16gal plastic containers qith lids that held PTFE powder for a local company who makes teflon tape. The owner told me to use compressed air to clean out the residue, but I dont own an air compressor anymore. Any other ideas or solvents to remove or loosen the powder? I've used a rag to wipe the sides down and dump the loose powder in the trash but the rag would eventually clog with the powder.

The 7 I got fairly clean are being used to hold sawdust, and my 5gal bucket over runs of dirty brass. I plan on using a a few more to hold my lead ingots so I can keep them separate by what source of wheel weights they came from. This also frees up some space under my reloading bench. I'll have less 5 gal buckets under there as I can fit 12 buckets now with my ammo cans full of bullets.

 

[schmart]

What about a Leaf Blower or Shop Vac? Or take them to a car wash and use their vacuum. I wouldn't recommend washing them down a drain as that would add plastic micro particles to the drain water, which ends up downstream.
I suppose if you were going to use air to blow the material out say in your yard... a hose would be about the same.
--Rick

 

[Mr Evilwrench]

Leaf blower would be good. Mostly, it's going to be harmless to get tiny quantities contaminating things, especially lead. Of all the plastic waste we release, PTFE powder should be about the most innocuous. If you could collect it, I bet that would be a hella good dry lubricant.

 

[1775usmarine]

Never thought about the leaf blower. Will have to give it a shot.

 

[455 Beretta]

Look up PTFE and PFAS (PFOS/PFOA) compounds and their “emerging contaminant” status.

Don’t get me started on the BS that’s environmental laws and lawyers in our country (I’m in the enviro field for over 25 years...a waste to go to the nth degree for nothing). But I digress. Back to your cleaning issue. Sorry.

 

[1775usmarine]

Tried the leaf blower and was only able to blow out the loose particles. Had a thought and dug out the used dryer sheets I have on hand for when I use to dry tumble my brass. Was able to do a better job and faster job of getting the powder that was clumped or stuck to the sides and bottom of the plastic containers. Might have to buy some more dryer sheets as I had to use roughly 6 each for the 2 containers I did before the baby woke up. The one unused one I used also worked and after all was said and done the 2 containers smell fresh and clean.