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 70% technical grade 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.
Highest quality and purity in the market
