Re: Sulphur hexafloride

["Norman Lohstreter" <petel@tenet.edu>]

Eric T. Lane wrote:
> A physics demonstration personality wants to use sulpher hexafloride to
> demonstrate the opposite of the helium squeeky voice effect.  He breaths
> in a lungfull of SF6 and his voice sounds gruff as he speaks.
>
> His question is where can he get SF6, hopefully reasonably cheaply, or a
> reasonable substitute high density gas that won't harm him.

Had a teacher at my school do this several years ago...

As I recall, a lecture bottle (enough for 3-4 demos) was about $80.00 or
so and we had to buy the bottle.  The supplier said that they could not
refill it. ??

Most speciality gas suppliers should have it or can get it.  You might
also try a semiconductor manufacturer, if there is one near you.  They
use the stuff for something and maybe they can fill some baloons for
you.


A safety note.   The SF6 is much more dense than air and tends to settle
in the lungs instead of being mixed and exhaled.  My teacher would stand
on his head for a few minutes at the end of each class to help get rid
of the gas.  I don't know if it helped or not, but, it made him feel
better.