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Glycolic has a low molecular weight that provides excellent penetration when used in cleaning formulations and personal care products.
Glycolic has dual functional groups (COOH & OH) that make it act as an acid, descaler, and chelating agent for iron and heavy metals.
Glycolic acid is a green acid that is readily biodegradable, VOC-free, and less corrosive than inorganic acids and many other organic acids.
Acid | Descaling | Iron Chelation |
Speed of Action |
Penetration | Corrosive | Toxicity | Pungent Odor |
Glycolic | Good | Good | High | High | Low | Low | No |
Sulfuric | High | Low | High | Moderate | High | High | No |
Hydrochloric | High | Low | High | Moderate | High | High | No |
Nitric | High | Low | High | Moderate | High | High | No |
Phosphoric | High | Low | High | Low | High | High | No |
Sulfamic | High | Low | High | Low | High | High | No |
Citric | Good | Low | Low | Moderate | Low | Low | No |
Acetic | Good | Low | Moderate | High | Low | Low | Yes |
Formic | Good | Low | Low | Good | High | High | No |
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