Concentration and Pump Materials Information
A single or collection of material/s may be rated for a higher temperature/s then the pump as a whole is capable of. It is important to contact a March representative to determine if the pump as a complete unit is suitable for the concentration and temperature of any chemical.
Acetic Acid
Acetic acid is a colorless organic chemical compound with the chemical formula CH3COOH that’s often used for synthetic-materials production (e.g., nylon, polyvinyl acetate, dimethyl terephthalate), waste-water treatment, and vinegar production. Because acetic acid can be difficult to work with, the materials used to work with it are limited to a few specific plastics and metals.
For acetic acid, we recommend using 316 SS, polypropylene, Kynar, and Ryton in most situations due to the chemical’s corrosive properties when concentrated. You should avoid using most metals and many non-metallic materials with acetic acid.
Citric Acid
Citric acid is an organic acid with the chemical formula C6H8O7 that’s often used as an organic preservative, a cleaning agent, and an acidulant in various cosmetics. Citric acid is a versatile chemical that doesn’t require a limited set of materials.
For citric acid, we recommend using polypropylene, Kynar, or stainless steel in most situations due to their ability to resist corrosion and leakage.
Ferric Chloride
Ferric chloride is a compound with the formula FeCl3 that’s often used for wastewater applications and potable water treatment. Because ferric chloride is difficult to work with, the materials used to work with it are limited to a centrifugal sealless magnetic drive pump made of Kynar or polypropylene with an encapsulated impeller.
For ferric chloride, we recommend using Kynar or polypropylene in most situations due to its toxicity and highly corrosivity. You should avoid using traditional mechanical seals with ferric chloride, which will generally suffer from accelerated wear.
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is a colorless organic compound with the chemical formula CH2O that’s often used in car and truck manufacturing, vaccine production, the creation of bonding agents, and manufacture of ink. Because formaldehyde is difficult to work with, the materials used to work with it are limited to plastics and a few specific metals such as Hastelloy “C.”
For formaldehyde, we usually recommend using plastics such as Ryton, polypropylene, Delrin, and Kynar, as well as carbon, ceramic, Mica-fill Teflon, and Ryton Teflon carbon in brushings. Formaldehyde is highly corrosive and extremely volatile. You should avoid using most metals with formaldehyde.
Hydrofluorosilicic Acid
Hydrofluorosilicic acid is a colorless liquid and inorganic compound with the formula H2Si4F6 that’s often used to maintain fluoride levels in water. Because hydrofluorosilicic acid is difficult to work with, the materials used to work with it are limited to non-metallic materials.
For hydrofluorosilicic acid, we recommend using polypropylene in most situations. Due to its extremely corrosive nature and risk of causing lung damage, you should avoid using metals with hydrofluorosilicic acid.
Hydrochloric Acid
Hydrochloric acid is a pungent solution of hydrogen chloride in water with the chemical formula HCl that’s often used for steel pickling, oil-well acidizing, and various applications in the food industry. Because hydrochloric acid can be difficult to work with depending on factors such as the acid’s temperature and specific gravity, the materials used to work with it are generally limited to Kynar or polypropylene with an encapsulated impeller and mica Teflon or carbon bushing.
For hydrochloric acid, we recommend using Kynar or polypropylene in most situations due to the potential presence of oxidizing contaminants.
Nitric Acid
Nitric acid is a mineral acid with the chemical formula HNO3 that’s often used for munitions manufacturing, fertilizer production, and as an oxidizer in rocket fuel. Because nitric acid is difficult to work with, the materials used to work with it are limited to specialized plastics.
For nitric acid, we recommend using PVDF in most situations due to the chemical’s extremely corrosive properties. Though stainless steel and aluminum can handle highly diluted concentrations, you should generally avoid using metals with nitric acid.
Phosphoric Acid
Phosphoric acid is a strong inorganic acid with the chemical formula H3PO4 that’s most often used for fertilizer production. Because phosphoric acid is difficult to work with, the materials used to work with it are limited to mostly to plastics, although certain grades of stainless steel fall within acceptable tolerances.
For phosphoric acid, we recommend using polypropylene and Kynar, as well as Viton, PTFE and Kalrez elastomers due to the chemical’s causticity. You should avoid using many metals with phosphoric acid.
Potassium Hydroxide
Potassium hydroxide is an inorganic compound with a strongly alkaline base with the chemical formula KOH that’s often used for biodiesel, soft soap, and alkaline battery production, as well as in the manufacturing of various potassium salt compounds. Because Potassium hydroxide is difficult to work with, the materials used to work with it are limited to plastics.
For potassium hydroxide, we recommend using polypropylene or Ryton with a Teflon O-ring and Carbon/Ryton combination bushing in most situations due to the chemical’s highly caustic and corrosive properties. You should avoid using metals or leak-susceptible pumps with potassium hydroxide.
Sodium Hydroxide
Sodium hydroxide (aka lye) is an inorganic compound with a strong metallic base that has the chemical formula NaOH. It’s often used for chemical pulping in paper manufacturing, chemical peeling of vegetables and fruits, and as a cleaning agent. Because sodium hydroxide is difficult to work with, the materials used to work with it are limited to various plastics, although some metals can work at lower concentrations.
For sodium hydroxide, we recommend using PTFE, PVDF, and EPDM in most situations due to the chemical’s reactivity with metal. You should avoid using aluminum and carbon steel with sodium hydroxide.
Sodium Hypochlorite
Sodium hypochlorite, which is more commonly known as bleach, is a compound made of a sodium ion and a hypochlorite anion with the chemical formula NaOCI. It’s often used for disinfection, deodorizing, water treatment, and stain removal. Because sodium hypochlorite is difficult to work with, the materials used to work with it are limited to primarily to plastics.
For sodium hypochlorite, we recommend using polypropylene, Kynar, or Ryton in most situations due to the fact that the chemical is highly corrosive. You should avoid using carbon brushing or stainless steel with sodium hypochlorite.
