Maya Ellison
Sulphuric acid is a highly corrosive mineral acid that is widely used in the United States. It is a heavy chemical, especially at high concentrations, and presents serious storage issues. While it can oxidize plastic and corrode metals, not all plastics are affected by it. Polyolefins, for example, are often used to contain certain acids.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Corrosiveness | Sulfuric acid is a highly corrosive mineral acid that is aggressive against plastics and metals. |
| Weight | At 93-98% concentration, it is nearly twice as heavy as water, weighing up to 16 pounds per gallon. |
| Reactivity | It is a reactive chemical that oxidizes plastic and corrodes metals. |
| Dehydrating Properties | Sulfuric acid dehydrates whatever it touches, causing secondary thermal damage due to the heat generated. |
| Exothermic Reactions | When mixed with other chemicals, it can undergo exothermic reactions, releasing heat and potentially causing damage. |
| Storage Requirements | Sulfuric acid requires specific storage systems due to its corrosive nature. Storage tanks must be designed to withstand its weight and chemical properties. |
| Safe Handling | Skin and bodily burns from sulfuric acid can be more severe than those from other strong acids. |
| Plastic Resistance | Some plastics, such as polyolefins, are resistant to sulfuric acid and are used for containment. |
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What You'll Learn
Some plastics are acid-resistant
While sulfuric acid is a highly corrosive mineral acid that oxidizes plastic and corrodes metals, some plastics are acid-resistant. Sulfuric acid is a very heavy chemical, especially at high concentrations, and it is challenging to store. At 93-98% concentration, it is nearly twice as heavy as water. It requires a tank with a 2.2 specific gravity wall thickness, such as the OR-1000® System with PVC fittings, Viton Gaskets, and 316 Stainless Steel bolts.
The corrosive ability of an acid depends on the type of acid and the material it is trying to dissolve or melt. For example, hydrofluoric acid is very corrosive towards glass but does not affect plastic bottles. Similarly, fluorine gas attacks most materials but can be contained in copper vessels as it produces a protective layer of copper fluoride.
Polyolefins are often recommended for containing certain acids. On the other hand, polyamides (nylon), polyesters, acetals (like Delrin), cellulose derivatives, and other polymer families with acid-reactive functional groups are severely damaged by acid exposure, flaking away or turning to goo.
Some plastics are designed to withstand the corrosive nature of sulfuric acid. Poly Processing, for instance, follows specific guidelines to ensure safety and enhance the useful life of their tanks. Their double-walled (SAFE-Tank) cross-linked polyethylene tank with the OR-1000 system is suitable for sulfuric acid concentrations of 98% or less.
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Acid concentration impacts corrosiveness
The concentration of an acid is a key factor in determining its corrosiveness. A higher concentration of acid will generally result in a higher rate of corrosion. For example, sulfuric acid at a concentration of 93-98% is extremely corrosive and requires specific storage conditions to prevent tank degradation, such as using a tank with a 2.2 specific gravity wall thickness.
Similarly, nitric acid, which is often used in similar applications as sulfuric acid, is highly corrosive due to its high acidic concentration. In the context of corrosion in boilers, the occurrence of carbonic acid corrosion depends on the concentration of bound carbon dioxide in the feedwater.
The concentration of hydrogen ions in an acidic environment is a critical factor in the corrosion process. The higher the concentration of active hydrogen, the greater the corrosion of metals. This is because the corrosion process involves the reaction of the metal with the acid, forming metal salts and hydrogen gas.
The pH of the environment is also crucial in determining the risk of corrosion. When the pH deviates from the ideal range of 6 to 8, the likelihood of corrosion increases. Lower pH values indicate higher acidity, with the scale ranging from 1 to 14, where 7 is considered neutral.
In addition to concentration, other factors influencing the corrosiveness of an acid include temperature and the type of metal involved. For instance, zirconium, niobium, hafnium, and tantalum exhibit high resistance to nitric acid corrosion.
Understanding the impact of acid concentration on corrosiveness is essential for designing safe storage systems and mitigating corrosion risks in various industrial applications.
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Plastic type determines vulnerability
The vulnerability of plastic to sulfuric acid depends on its type. While sulfuric acid is a highly corrosive mineral acid that poses serious storage challenges due to its weight and aggressiveness as an oxidizer, not all plastics react the same way when exposed to it.
Polyamides (nylon), polyesters, acetals (like Delrin), cellulose derivatives, and other polymer families with acid-reactive functional groups are vulnerable to sulfuric acid. They will suffer severe damage, flaking away or turning to goo when exposed to the acid.
On the other hand, some plastics are resistant to sulfuric acid. Polyolefins, for instance, are often used to contain certain acids. Similarly, plastic bottles can safely hold hydrofluoric acid, a highly corrosive substance that can dissolve glass.
The specific type of plastic determines its reaction to sulfuric acid. The varying chemical compositions and structures of different plastics result in diverse responses when exposed to this strong acid. This highlights the importance of selecting the appropriate plastic material for specific applications, especially when dealing with corrosive substances like sulfuric acid.
Additionally, the concentration of sulfuric acid also plays a role in its corrosive ability. Different concentrations require specific storage tanks with varying wall thicknesses and fittings to prevent degradation, leakage, and tank failure.
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Sulphuric acid's oxidising nature
Sulphuric acid is a highly corrosive mineral acid composed of the elements sulfur, oxygen, and hydrogen. It is a colourless, odourless, and viscous liquid that is miscible with water. Concentrated sulphuric acid is a strong oxidant with powerful dehydrating properties, making it corrosive to many materials, including rocks and metals.
The oxidising nature of sulphuric acid is due to its ability to act as a reducing agent, accepting electrons from other substances during a chemical reaction. In simpler terms, while another substance loses electrons (is oxidised), the sulphuric acid gains them. This property makes concentrated sulphuric acid an invaluable reagent in many laboratory and industrial processes, such as the manufacture of chemicals and purification of metals. For example, in a reaction with copper, concentrated sulphuric acid will oxidise the metal to copper sulfate, and in the process, it will be reduced to sulfur dioxide.
The concentration of sulphuric acid is a critical factor in its oxidising behaviour. Copper, for instance, does not react with dilute sulphuric acid. However, in concentrated sulphuric acid, the highly acidic environment and high concentration of sulphate ions enable the sulphate ions to act as an oxidising agent.
The oxidising nature of concentrated sulphuric acid poses serious storage challenges. It is an aggressive oxidiser that can degrade the material of its storage tank, causing it to become brittle and crack, potentially leading to leaks or tank failure. Due to its heavy weight, storing sulphuric acid also requires a strong tank that can withstand the constant pressure on the bottom third of the container. Additionally, its hygroscopic nature, or strong affinity for water, means that it must be kept in airtight containers to prevent dangerous spills or dilutions caused by absorbing moisture from the air.
While some plastics can be severely damaged by sulphuric acid, others are unaffected. Polyolefins, for example, are often used to contain certain acids.
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Sulphuric acid's dehydrating effect
Sulphuric acid is a highly corrosive mineral acid that poses serious storage challenges due to its weight and aggressive chemical properties. It is a heavy chemical, especially at high concentrations, and can be almost twice as heavy as water at 93-98% concentration. This weight exerts constant pressure on the bottom of its storage tank, requiring a strong material that can withstand this pressure.
The acid also has oxidizing properties, which can degrade the tank's material, causing it to become brittle and crack, leading to potential leaks or tank failure. Additionally, if sulphuric acid comes into contact with water, it creates toxic sulphuric acid aerosol fumes or even potential explosions. It is an extremely corrosive substance that can oxidize plastic and corrode metals.
Now, coming to the dehydrating effects of sulphuric acid, it has been observed that sulphuric acid has a dehydrating effect on whatever it touches. This means that when sulphuric acid comes into contact with a substance, it can remove water molecules from that substance, causing it to lose moisture and potentially change its physical and chemical properties. This dehydration effect can be detrimental to the integrity of the substance, especially if it relies on water molecules to maintain its structure or functionality.
The dehydrating effect of sulphuric acid is an important consideration when working with this substance. It is crucial to take the necessary precautions to avoid any unwanted dehydration of materials or substances that may come into contact with the acid. This effect can have significant implications in various industries that utilize sulphuric acid, such as chemical production, water treatment, and fertilizer manufacturing.
While sulphuric acid has a dehydrating effect on most substances, it is important to note that some materials are more resistant to its effects than others. For example, as previously mentioned, certain types of plastics, such as polyolefins, are often used to contain sulphuric acid precisely because they are less reactive to acids. These plastics have a higher resistance to the corrosive and dehydrating effects of sulphuric acid, making them suitable for storage and handling purposes.
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Frequently asked questions
The corrosive ability of an acid depends on the type of acid and the material it interacts with. While sulfuric acid is a highly corrosive mineral acid that oxidizes plastic and corrodes metals, some plastics are not affected by it. Polyolefins, for example, are often used to contain certain acids.
Polyamides (nylon), polyesters, acetals (e.g. Delrin), cellulose derivatives, and other polymer families that have acid-reactive functional groups will suffer severe damage from acid exposure, flaking away or turning to goo.
When sulfuric acid comes into contact with water, it creates a toxic sulfuric acid aerosol fume or a potential explosion.
Skin and other bodily burns from sulfuric acid can be more serious than burns from other strong acids. Sulfuric acid dehydrates whatever it touches, and the resulting reaction with water can create secondary thermal damage.
