Damage done to chemicals due to freezing?

[calexg]

Hey folks,

I just had my latest Don's Photo chemical order cancelled. I was told the reason why was because the chemicals might freeze in shipment. They said they don't want to ship to me until summertime. It got me thinking...first of all, that's great customer service (Henry's would never do that!)...secondly, how much would it affect the chemistry?

it's extremely tough to find a shop who will send chemicals, and even tougher to find one who will ship to me for less than $30CAD. So what is a northern Canadian to do in the winter? Order powdered chemistry? Has anybody had any experience with chemicals that were accidentally frozen?

For the record, I was only ordering fixer. I own the Darkroom Cookbook and I see multiple recipes for fixers but I don't want to have to order all the ingredients if I don't have to.

Thanks!

 

[Keith]

I supect the risk would be more in the container being ruptured due to expansion than damage to the chemical itself.

Of course ... not a problem we have here in OZ! 😛

 

[maddoc]

For Ilford's Rapidfixer the data sheet says "Store above freezing" and the melting point is indicated as "<0 degrees" ... No idea what should happen, it is an aqueous solution of Ammonium Thiosulphate.

 

[glchua]

For Ilford's Rapidfixer the data sheet says "Store above freezing" and the melting point is indicated as "<0 degrees" ... No idea what should happen, it is an aqueous solution of Ammonium Thiosulphate.

Probably the ammonium thiosulphate would precipitate out and that i find is quite difficult to get it back to solution again.