Fluoride glasses: corrosion

Many fluorides are corrosive to glass and some metals Even the very corrosive anhydrous fluorides, however, can be handled at room temperature in steel, stainless steel, copper, and Teflon equipment For reactions at higher temperature, nickel and Monel metal are indispensable More data on corrosion of matenals are given in pages 22 and 23 of Chemistry of Organic Fluorine Cowjpoundi, published in 1676... 

Zirconium-silicate refractories have found successful application in certain parts of glass furnaces, in particular those for borosilicate and fluoride glasses (tank, feeder, throat). Refractories based on Cr203 have recently been employed at the critical points of glass tanks. This oxide show s the best resistance to glass-contact corrosion but its application is limited by its colouring effect. 

D. G. Chen, C. J. Simmons, and J. H. Simmons, Corrosion layer formation of ZrF4-based fluoride glasses. Mater. Sci. Forum, 19-20 315-320,1987. 

Manufacture. Fluoroborate salts are prepared commercially by several different combinations of boric acid and 70% hydrofluoric acid with oxides, hydroxides, carbonates, bicarbonates, fluorides, and bifluorides. Fluoroborate salts are substantially less corrosive than fluoroboric acid but the possible presence of HF or free fluorides cannot be overlooked. Glass vessels and equipment should not be used. 

Liquid polyalurninum chloride is acidic and corrosive to common metals. Suitable materials for constmction of storage and handling facilities include synthetic mbber-lined steel, corrosion resistant fiber glass reinforced plastics (FRP), ceramics, tetrafluoroethylene polymer (PTFE), poly(vinyhdene fluoride) (PVDF), polyethylene, polypropylene, and poly(vinyl chloride) (PVG). Suitable shipping containers include mbber-lined tank tmcks and rail cars for bulk shipment and plastic-lined or aH-plastic dmms and tote bins for smaller quantities. Except for aluminum chlorohydrates, PAG products are shipped as hazardous substances because of their acidity. 

Hydrogen fluoride Catalyst in some petroleum refining, etching glass, silicate extraction by-product in electrolytic production of aluminum Petroleum, primary metals, aluminum Strong irritant and corrosive action on all body tissue damage to citrus plants, effect on teeth and bones of cattle from eating plants... 

Chemical Reactivity - Reactivity with Water Reacts vigorously to form toxic hydrogen fluoride (hydrofluoric acid) Reactivity with Common Materials When moisture is present, causes severe corrosion of metals (except steel) and glass. If confined and wet can cause explosion. May cause fire in contact with combustible material Stability During Transport Stable Neutralizing Agents for Acids and Caustics Flush with water, rinse with sodium bicarbonate or lime solution Polymerization Not pertinent Inhibitor of Polymerization Not pertinent. 

Fluorinated polymers stand out sharply against other construction materials for their excellent corrosion resistance and high-temperature stability. In this respect they are not only superior to other plastics but also to platinum, gold, glass, enamel and special alloys. The fluorinated plastics used in process plants are polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE), fluorinated ethylene/ propylene (FEP), polytrifiuoromonochlorethylene (PTFCE) and polyvinyl fluoride (PVF). They are much more expensive than other polymers and so are only economical in special situations [59]. 

Here distilled water instead of argon is pumped into the test cell at the crevice between the sample and the sample mounting. With a few exceptions, the Avesta cell is like the usual electrochemical cell for corrosion measurements (Figs. 14 and 15). The Avesta cell is made up of two concentric cylindrical glass pieces with a top and bottom made of polyvinylidene fluoride pieces. 

Caution. Metal hexafluorides are volatile, toxic, corrosive, and highly hygroscopic materials. They must be handled in a very dry, clean, fluorine-preconditioned metal vacuum system. The vacuum system should be constructed from stainless steel or Monel materials (glass is not acceptable if pure products are desired). Hydrogen fluoride also is quite toxic and volatile. If only one metal... 

Potassium Bifluoride (Potassium Acid Fluoride), KHFa, mw 78.11 colorless, poisonous corrosive crysrs mp — decomp sol in w dil ale insol in abs ale. Can be prepd by crystallizing from an aq soln of KF in HF (Ref 1). Used for etching glass production of fluorine and of flux in metallurgy Rsfs ]) Gmel in-Kraut 3ysf Nunibcr 22(1937)... 

Fluorides.—Fluorides are detected by liberating the hydrofluoric acid and characterising the latter by its corrosive action on glass, the method of Blarez and Van dam - being used ... 

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