Acetic Acid Corrosion / CH₃COOH Corrosion

Acetic acid, (CH3COOH or ethanoic acid) is a colorless liquid with a pungent, vinegar-like odor. Acetic acid is mainly used industrially as a precursor in the production of cellulose acetate mainly for photographic film and polyvinyl acetate for wood glue, as well as synthetic fibres and fabrics. Although it is classified as a weak acid, concentrated acetic acid is corrosive, and attacks the skin. In water-free conditions acetic acid is named Glacial Acetic Acid and is causing severe corrosion issues at elevated temperatures.

Corrosive nature of glacial acetic acid at temperatures higher than 120°C

At temperatures greater than 120C acetic acids become extremely corrosive and specialty materials are needed to contain it. Typically zirconium has been the material of choice since its corrosion resistance to glacial acetic acid is good. While zirconium offers good corrosion resistance to acetic acid, Tantalines corrosion resistance to acetic acid is superb at a cost that is at least 30% less expensive than zirconium.

> Read more:  See the full acetic acid corrosion report