[JasonQ]

Does anyone know of any acids that are pretty safe to humans (not very dangerous to skin) that can eat away a small hole in a standard party type balloon and pop it?

Thanks,

Jason

[saibot]

I think any acid that is strong enough to eat through a balloon will be able to do damage to skin.

[constant thinker]

Or you could skip the acid and look for something that reduces the rubber balloon, given that there is anything that will do that. This is only a suggestion if all you want to do is throw stuff on peoples balloons to pop them.

[mike]

Does anyone know of any acids that are pretty safe to humans (not very dangerous to skin) that can eat away a small hole in a standard party type balloon and pop it?

Is this an experiment? What are you trying to do exactly?

[JasonQ]

I'm participating in a Science Olympiad competition that involves building a robot to perform multiple taks, one of which being popping a balloon.  The balloons are difficult for the robot to reach, so a simple mechanical arm with a blade wouldn't work.  I thought that it would work if the robot held a syringe or something far above the balloon and dropped some solvent or acid on it that would pop it.

-Jason

[Mitch]

Maybe acetone?

[two39plutonium]

Hmm, interesting problem.  Even with corrosives it is going to take a bit to pop your balloon, usually a bit of time and a bit of heat.  Glacial acetic acid in concentrated form may do the trick, but then again so will a niceley placed stream of aqua regia! (Please don't try that)  As Mitch suggest I would try a good organic solvent.  Acetone may work, but again this will be slow if it works at all.  Fire would be the best solution.  

[mike]

I'm participating in a Science Olympiad competition that involves building a robot to perform multiple taks, one of which being popping a balloon.  The balloons are difficult for the robot to reach, so a simple mechanical arm with a blade wouldn't work.  I thought that it would work if the robot held a syringe or something far above the balloon and dropped some solvent or acid on it that would pop it.

-Jason

Wow, cool, that sounds like a great project.

I agree with Mitch, I think some kind of solvent (acetone, kerosene or similar) would probably do the trick. [be careful though as these are flammable]

[constant thinker]

I like the fire idea. Test some of these ideas out before you even build the robot.

[Mitch]

I know how to do it!

Jabbing the balloon with the syringe is a better way to simply pop it.

[mike]

I know how to do it!

Jabbing the balloon with the syringe is a better way to simply pop it.

 

Good one!