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Metal Cleaning & Finishing With Glycolic Acid
A Biodegradable Organic Acid
Glycolic acid is a top-quality organic acid from PureTech Scientific, previously manufactured by Chemours, for a variety of uses in consumer and industrial applications. Glycolic acid tech grade is an excellent choice for metal finishing and surface treatment applications due to its low corrosivity and dual functionality to act as an acid and alcohol to remove rust, scale, and oxidation deposits off metal surfaces.Glycolic-based acid formulations are widely used in the cleaning and descaling of industrial equipment, stainless steel boilers, heat exchangers, and many other industrial metal parts processes.
Glycolic Acid Tech 70% from PureTech Scientific provides exceptional performance and unique properties for metal finishing and cleaning applications. It is safer to use on sensitive metals such as aluminum and copper, making it a great alternative to strong acids and inorganic descalers such as hydrochloric acid and phosphoric acid. It also offers improved performance over organic acids such as oxalic acid and citric acid in metal finishing and cleaning applications.
Glycolic Acid Tech 70% from PureTech Scientific provides exceptional performance and unique properties for metal finishing and cleaning applications. It is safer to use on sensitive metals such as aluminum and copper, making it a great alternative to strong acids and inorganic descalers such as hydrochloric acid and phosphoric acid. It also offers improved performance over organic acids such as oxalic acid and citric acid in metal finishing and cleaning applications.
Glycolic Acid In Metal Cleaning Applications
- General metal finishing processes
- Acid-based cleaners and descalers
- Aluminum cleaners and chemical surface finishes
- Copper cleaners and rust removers
- Electroless metal plating premix
- Iron oxides cleaners and general rust removers
- Electropolishing and electroplating electrolytes
- Anodizing and sealer formulations
- Pickling and mill scale applications
- Metal plating and surface finishing
- Acid cleaning and metal degreasing
- Automotive and wheel cleaners
- Aerospace metal cleaners and surface treatment chemicals
- Buffing compound cleaners
Glycolic Acid Features and Benefits
| Advantage | Details |
|---|---|
| Dual Activity | The acid group removes rust and scale build-up while the alcohol group chelates to keep impurities dissolved or dispersed. |
| Relatively strong organic acid | 4% solution of Glycolic Acid in water is below 2.0 pH. |
| Low volatility | Little corrosive fumes evolve on heating; low acid yield loss is experienced, even when solutions are used, non-VOC due to low vapor pressure. |
| Very mild odor | It does not fume as some mineral acids do. |
| Provides good rinsing properties | Dissolves and cleans rust, oxides, carbonate scales, and most casein scales readily, resulting in water-soluble salts. |
| Supplied in complete solution | Easy to handle as a liquid; no "incomplete dissolving" problems; 70% concentrate can be quickly water diluted to any desired strength. |
| Relatively low corrosion | Low corrosivity on metals can be further reduced by the addition of a corrosion inhibitor. |
| Contains essentially no chlorides | Can be used for cleaning stainless steel without the possible chloride cracking or embrittlement often experienced in acid chloride systems. |
| Compatible with many cleaning ingredients | These can include surfactants, biocidal agents, corrosion inhibitors, scents, colors, other acids, and, of course, water. |
| Provides complexing properties | This characteristic may preclude the need to add a special chelating or complexing agent and enhance the rinsability of the cleaner. |
| Relatively safe to store and handle | Always be sure to follow the safety data sheet guidelines. |
| Readily biodegradable | Waste disposal is not a problem and it does not support the growth of bacteria. |
Why PureTech Scientific Glycolic Acid?
Highest quality and purity in the market- No chloroacetic acid - chloride free
- Low corrosivity and VOC exempt
- Safe & easy to handle
- Very mild odor versus other acids' strong odor
- Dual activity for descaling and rust removal
- Fast to clean and eailly rinsable
- Safe to use on aluminum, copper, steel, and many other metal types and alloys
- 16.8% less corrosive to steel and carbon steel
- Available in various package sizes and concentrations
Glycolic acid from PureTech Scientific is over 14 times less corrosive to copper and almost 30 times less corrosive to stainless steel.
Glycolic acid from PureTech Scientific is over 300 times less corrosive to aluminum surfaces compared to other competitive glycolic acids.
Glycolic Acid Physical and Chemical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Clear to light amber |
| Color, Gardner | <3 |
| Form | Solution |
| Total Acid, % | 70.0 - 72.0 |
| Molecular Weight | 76.04 |
| Sulfates, ppm | 600 maximum |
| Formic Acid, % | <1 maximum |
| Turbidity, NTU | 5 maximum |
| 7-day Biodegradability | 89.6 |
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