November 2020
I’m a retired engineer, and I have some information to share with RV owners who have clear plastic handrails, especially illuminated ones. This is especially relevant in view of increased sanitation related to the COVID-19 situation.
Do not clean these handrails with hand sanitizer or wipes that contain alcohol, which can cause them to crack and craze because of a phenomenon called environmental stress corrosion in plastics. Apparently, drying off impervious plastics immedi-ately after exposure to alcohol is not a guarantee of preventing this, because the plastics typically absorb moisture or other liquids.
Instead, clean the handrails using only plain or antimicrobial soap and water, or wipes that do not contain alcohol or other hydrocarbon solvents.
Cleaning a plastic RV handrail with alcohol-based products can damage it.
Some chemicals are not necessarily considered solvents to certain plastics and do not affect them under normal circumstances. But the chemicals will cause the plastics to crack if exposure occurs while the material is under stress. Combinations of concern include polycarbonates and acrylics — which are commonly used to manufacture clear RV handrails — when exposed to alcohol and acetone. Placing weight on a handrail when using it, or thermal expansions that result from internal illuminating lights or sun exposure, are prime sources of mechanical stress. Such stresses normally do not affect the material in the absence of such chemicals.
If you have a handrail that shows heavy cracks and crazes, be very careful that it does not fail and cause injury. You would be well advised to replace it.
— John Richards, F365753
West Richland, Washington
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