Corrosion by Acetic Acid—A Report of Task Group T-5A-3 On Corrosion by Acetic Acid

A summary of data and experience on the use of various materials of construction for the storage and handling of refined glacial acetic acid and dilute acetic acid, submitted to NACB Technical Practices Committee 5A-3 is presented. Discussion of common corrosion problems, laboratory and field corrosion test results and photographs of common types of failure are included. Aluminum alloy or austenitic stainless steel tankage is recommended for the storage of refined glacial acetic acid. Austenitic stainless steel heating coils, pumps, valves and piping are recommended for both glacial and dilute acetic acid storage systems. The corrosion risk involved in the use of aluminum for dilute acetic acid storage is emphasized and the limitations on the use of copper and copper alloys for acetic acid storage are discussed. The importance of minor contaminants and of the oxidizing or reducing nature of the environment is discussed in relation to choosing the proper materials for construction of acetic acid processing equipment. It is pointed out that the austenitic stainless steels and copper and copper alloys satisfactorily meet most of the acetic acid processing conditions though higher alloys or non metallic materials may be required occasionally. Common corrosion problems encountered in acetic acid processing and control measures for such problems are discussed. 4.4.2