Inorganic Acid-resistant Glass Materials
Glass is an increasingly important material in many industries today, with its remarkable attributes of optical transparency, flexibility of composition, and molded form. With many versatile applications, glass is used in a variety of fields such as vehicle windshields, interior and exterior design elements, and packaging materials. Moreover, its ability to withstand inorganic acid attack makes it a suitable material for both industrial and laboratory applications with higher performance requirements.
Inorganic acids are strong acids derived from non-carbon-based elements such as sulphuric acid, hydrochloric acid, and phosphoric acid, which are highly corrosive and reactive. Therefore, traditional glass materials are not suitable for prolonged contact with strong inorganic acids, especially at high temperatures. To overcome these limitations and to ensure safety, various glass-forming materials that are resistant to inorganic acids have been developed.
The most commonly used acid-resistant glass materials are soda-lime silicate glasses, aluminosilicate glasses, borosilicate glasses, barium-lime glasses, and lead oxide glasses. Soda-lime silicate glasses, which are the most widely used glass material, are highly resistant to hydrofluoric acid and have the lowest melting point among the different glasses. Aluminosilicate glasses, on the other hand, are highly resistant to hydrofluoric acid, hydrochloric acid, and phosphoric acid. Furthermore, they have a moderate fire resistance which is sufficient for most industrial applications.
Borosilicate glasses are more resistant to thermal shock than soda-lime silicate glasses. They have a lower coefficient of thermal expansion and have a higher melting point, which makes them ideal for applications that require high stability over a wide temperature range. Barium-lime glasses are known for their excellent durability, strength, and abrasion resistance. Lead oxide glasses offer high durability and are highly resistant to inorganic acid attack.
Inorganic acid-resistant glass materials are used for a wide range of industrial and laboratory applications. They are commonly used for laboratory glassware, chemical tubing, and in semiconductor packaging. Industrial applications include electronics, chemical processing, mining, and petroleum refining. Furthermore, these materials can also be used for the manufacture of containers for storing and transporting inorganic acids.
Inorganic acid-resistant glass materials have made it possible to safely handle and store inorganic acid products. With the development of innovative glass technologies, these possible applications are constantly expanding and improving. As a result, glass materials are becoming an increasingly important part of modern industrial processes.
