Australia's Science Forum

Hi Guys, any ideas where I can buy some mercury? Westlab is out of stock, MTA doesnt sell, Haines is very expensive any other ideas? MariaQ

Good luck with your quest, but we will never have mercury in our school again. It's far too dangerous, too easy to spill, and too hard to safely clean up.

If you really need to buy some, ensure you also budget in a mercury spill kit. I just bought a small one from Science Supply Aust, mostly for our mercury thermometers. Although I also recently bought some kerosene thermometers from AIM Scientific - Jim assured me they were a good substitute and the, fussy, chem teacher was quite happy with them. But I digress!

A new teacher here this year asked me to buy mercury switches to show the students mercury. He said at past schools they have sealed them into a transparent container so the students could see and feel the weight of the mercury. I bought the ones he asked for and they are absolutely tiny. I really can't see the point. Haven't had time to show him yet as when I do I will be creating more work for myself.

This is specifically for an IEC Constant Volume Thermometer, it would be teacher use only, demo and we already have a spill kit for mercury.

How much are you after Maria ?
I ask , because there may be a school near you that has more than they need and would be happy to share .

Have you tried SSA? They are very well priced for any of the chemicals I have looked up, and may be the same for mercury.

Hey bigmack, already onto it!

I've never used this supplier but they have and $200 cheaper than HAINES.
https://bacto.com.au/index.php?route=pr ... t_id=21369

I have been required to dispose of anything that either uses mercury or has mercury in it, all mercury thermometers, a constant volume apparatus (not sorry to see that go it was so old), a hydrometer, etc. I have no idea what the chemistry teacher expects to use for any practicals using the Quikfit equipment that require high temperature thermometers. Any suggestions are welcome.
As for buying mercury I checked the ChemSupply site for pricing: 500g is $338. It is classified as a drug precursor and a licence is required to purchase the chemical.

Lyn wrote: ↑02 Jun 2022, 10:28 I have been required to dispose of anything that either uses mercury or has mercury in it, all mercury thermometers, a constant volume apparatus (not sorry to see that go it was so old), a hydrometer, etc. I have no idea what the chemistry teacher expects to use for any practicals using the Quikfit equipment that require high temperature thermometers. Any suggestions are welcome.
As for buying mercury I checked the ChemSupply site for pricing: 500g is $338. It is classified as a drug precursor and a licence is required to purchase the chemical.

AIM Scientific (Adelaide) sell kerosene thermometers as a substitute for mercury. We used them for the first time this year and the Chem teacher was happy with them. They didn't fit in the holder in the Quickfit kits as they were a bit thicker so I took out the rubber O Ring, bought a different size off Ebay and bingo - worked a treat.