Sulfuric acid is one of the most widely used chemicals across a range of industries. Despite this ubiquity, however, each sulfuric acid application requires careful material selection and evaluation, as the wrong gasket will quickly deteriorate, posing a multitude of risks when exposed to this aggressively corrosive medium.
It is absolutely critical that sulfuric acid gaskets have strong chemical resistance. In the rail industry, for example, using the wrong gasket can cause costly and harmful non-accidental releases (NARs), posing dangers not only to equipment but — more importantly — to workers, the environment and loaders/unloaders. To ensure you are using a resilient gasket that will withstand any sulfuric acid application, we have a few recommendations.
Common Sulfuric Acid Chemical Questions
Among all of the chemicals with which GRI® assists its customers, sulfuric acid is the one our clients most frequently encounter in their applications. As the only custom gasket manufacturer with membership to The Sulfur Institute (TSI), we are very familiar with the associated risks and requirements of these specific applications.
Our proposed solutions for sulfuric acid gaskets can be found with our chemical compatibility tool. We’ve separated sulfuric acid into three sub-categories to help clients find the most appropriate gasket solution: Sulfuric Acid 20%, Sulfuric Acid Concentrate, and Sulfuric Acid Concentrate > 200° F. As the concentration levels of sulfuric acid vary, so does the chemical compatibility for gaskets.
Of the sulfuric acid gasket solutions provided by the compatibility tool, we typically recommend the Durlon® 9000 Step Ring Gasket as the ideal choice for all chemical concentrations when using Mondi® piping. Our ability to manufacture Durlon® step gaskets as one piece, rather than multiple sections bonded together, allows the gasket to maintain critical sealability and recovery properties despite the most rigorous working conditions. We also offer Identa-Seal™ Viton® B Blue when an elastomer would be preferred. Identa-Seal is the only color coded Genuine Viton® listed on the DuPont SU2A specifications.
Try Our Chemical Compatibility Tool Today
Are you working with sulfuric acid or other chemicals and need help determining which gasket type would be best suited to your needs? Receive our expert by trying out our free chemical compatibility tool today or reach out to our team directly.