Butane and Nylon

Here's the story...

I had your standard plastic Bic lighter in my pack, in the top compartment. I went climbing. The next day, unpacking, I noticed the lighter broke and there's no fluid in it.

There were some other items in the top compartment - beanie, gloves, guidebook. Nothing felt wet, including the pack. But I imagine there was less than an ounce of liquid butane in the lighter. Also, I have no idea if the ropes were even in the pack when the lighter broke.

I called Mammut and Sterling, since I had a Mammut climbing rope and Sterling static rope in my pack. Sterling said on a scale from A-E, butane is a B and has a minimal effect on Nylon. Mammut had no info on butane's effect on Nylon.

I did some research on my own, and found similiar favorable butane-nylon comparisons.

coleparmer.com/Chemical-Res…

rockandice.com/gear-guide-t… - doesn't mention butane, but mentions motor oil, gas, and kerosene not greatly effecting nylon. does say "anything you can put on your skin shouldn’t damage a climbing rope"

If anyone has any information on butane and nylon, I'd appreciate it. This information could probably go a long way considering it's not uncommon to have lighters in a pack, or even fuel cannisters.

Thank you.

I think between sterling's info and the chemical compatibility chart, if it is listed as not affected, I would still use it.

If you're really concerned about it, cut out the section of rope. If this isn't an option because it is in the middle, then get a new rope.

Personally I would use it as the butane released (as a gas, it is only liquid under pressure) is such a small amount, combined with the fact that it was in a pack with other more than likely absorbent items.

Oh and..... Yer gonna die

The lighter was in the top zippered compartment, and the rope was in the lower main compartment?

Don't even worry about the rope.

Your ropes are, definitely, safe.

The Cole Parmer tool is quite nice, unfortunately not absolutely correct. I looked at nylon/vinegar compatibility, it got listed as A-Excellent; this contradicts findings from Black Diamon QC Lab
It is somewhat perplexing, considering that compatibility tool identifies acetic acid, the active ingredient in vinegar, as having severe effects on nylon.

The guys at Sterling and Mammut were both very helpful but neither one of them were going to say the rope is absolutely safe, and that’s fair.

All the information I've been given, as well as the circumstances, do lead me to believe my equipment is safe. However, I trust this equipment with not only my life but my partner’s, friend's, and family’s life. I’m overly cautious, to a fault. So just to be extra safe, I’m looking for anyone with supportive as well as contradictory information to chime in.

Thank you.

Many years in the petroleum industry here... you have nothing to worry about.

How did you break a Bic lighter? You pretty much need to hit it with a hammer, hard!

So last night I did a little experiment and punctured a similiar lighter to see what would happen. The fluid instantly turned into a cold gas. A few scant drops fell out, but dried up almost instantly.

The only way to know for sure is to test it. Testing is not hard. Buy two nylon slings, heavily coat one in the lighter fluid, then send them off to be tested. Easy day. You can send them to me, or I am sure Black Diamond, Metolius or any other major manufacturer will test it for you.