Which "SAFE" chemical is better?

I can appreciate that, doug.

doug wrote: So the fact it absorbs NO MOISTURE does not  contribute to it's ability to be able to float. Is not the term specific gravity just the old Bulls*it baffles Brains to make the so called instructors every so increditable intelligent???

Maybe, doug. Maybe not. Do you have enough definite knowledge to say one way or the other either, or are you just resting on authoritative sources that you trust, just like most of us do? I don't see any need to prove my point; I just asked for your points as to why you disagreed. If I was misinformed or semi-misinformed by being swayed by nerdy terminology, then shame on me, I guess. It doesn't really affect how I do my job. The point was that I don't have enough knowledge of physical chemistry to report with any certainty exactly how water behaves on two hypothetical separate pieces of carpet whose only real difference is their respective specific gravities. In other words, I don't have specific knowledge of an experiement where water's propensity to travel past the piles of carpets of differing specific gravities was recorded, so I can't personally comment with absolute certainty. Are you asking me to look this stuff up in the appropriate journals and report back to you? I was just trying to be honest, because your request for me to explain "why" these things work the way they do would eventually lead down this path, right?

I just cut to the chase: none of us are scientists; we base our opinions on authorities that we trust (for whatever reason); then we compare knowledge to hopefully root out the truth, in time. If I'm wrong, I'd love to be enlightened, which I've already asked. You can either pony up with your definitive knwledge and its source, or you can just continue being vaguely contrary.

Have I sort of answered your question, or are you still waiting for . . . something?

 


Edited by Michael - 08/July/2006 at 11:58pm

The reason olefin floats on water is that it has a specific gravity of less than 1.

The real issue here is that olefin absorbs NO MOISTURE.

In real terms that means that water rolls right down the fiber.

Just going by what the experts tell me, doug. I'm not a scientist.

I don't disagree that olefin is less absorbant than other carpet fiber types, and I never did. It makes sense that it would affect how the prespray is held/suspended, as will the fact that it has such a low specific gravity, which is the main contributing factor to over-wetting (as I was taught). Disagree? Contact Doug Heifferman, who is one of Bridgepoint's main instructors. I'm sure he'd like to be enlightened so he can stop spreading misinformation.

Also, wicking on olefin can also be attributed to the fact that its more susceptible to oil-based soiling than other fibers used for carpet.

Yes, olefin is polypropylene . . . and . . .???

Where specifically do you disagree? Do you disagree with my opinion, have you had contrary experience, or are you saying my facts are mixed up? Kinda vague so far.

You're thinking of olefin. Polyester, olefin, nylon--in fact, most synthetic fibers--are hydrophobic, but the reason water sinks through olefin is because its specific gravity is greater.