What is Vulcanite on a pipe stem?
There are two main types of materials used for pipe stems- Vulcanite (ebonite or hard rubber) and Lucite (acrylic). Vulcanite: Pros- Softer on the teeth, and easier to make an impression in, which makes it more stable; can be made thinner and is easy to make minor adjustments to.
How can you tell if a pipe stem is Vulcanite?
One other way you can identify a black stem if it’s still shiny, is to hold the pipe by the bowl, and lightly thump the bit with your fingernail. A Lucite stem will have a higher pitched ping sound to it, and Vulcanite usually has a dull thud to it.
How do you polish Vulcanite pipe stems?
By simply wiping off your stems with a clean cloth like the Dunhill Pipe Wipe, the Peterson Polishing Cloth, or the Savinelli Magic Cloth and running a pipe cleaner through the channel, you can greatly reduce the chance of your stems turning green and oxidized.
What is Vulcanite made of?
Vulcanite is a type of vulcanized rubber formed by combining sulfur and India rubber, then heating the mixture for several hours. Charles Goodyear is credited with developing the process, which he patented in 1844. Vulcanite can be white or of various colors.
Is Vulcanite a plastic?
The introduction of Vulcanite, also known as Ebonite or hard rubber, was the next phase in the evolution of plastics. Vulcanite is derived from natural rubber which is hardened through the addition of sulphur.
How can you tell the difference between Vulcanite and acrylic?
Usually, I can see the difference if I am shopping pipes at a shop or show. Acrylic has a slightly higher reflective surface. With new, well polished vulcanite, sometimes there is not much difference, but with a new pipe that has been in stock longer, or an estate pipe, you can usually tell just by looking.
What is the best pipe stem material?
“What will be the best material to make the stem of a smoking pipe?” Probably wood, some kind of heat resistant non-toxic plastic, or a polymer like silicone would work well. Silicone is used in vaping spit because it can withstand fairly high heat, or be close to something that is hot.
How do you remove oxidation from vulcanite stems?
With a magic eraser you can remove oxidation (it is, if I remember correctly, roughly the equivalent of 1500 grit sandpaper or 4000 grit micromesh), but will leave you with a matte black finish. To get a shine, you need to use progressively finer abrasives.
Do acrylic pipe stems oxidize?
The advantages of acrylic pipe stems are color variety and unlike vulcanite, acrylic does not oxidize. The disadvantage to acrylic is plastic. Some pipe smokers do not like the feel of a plastic stem while smoking.
How do you identify vulcanite?
Over time, and if exposed to heat and light, Vulcanite may be identified by a sulphurous bloom that gives the piece a dusty, khaki color. The application of friction will produce the faint odor of sulphur. A Vulcanite streak test results in a light brown streak on unglazed porcelain.