Effects of glycolic acid on rubber and Plastic

snedie · 4 Oct 2012 at 10:35

Looking to refurbish some radiators with a chemical treatment. Now I was going to put this under water cooling but I figured I have a better Chance of a response in here. My plan is to start with isopropyl alcohol, then a DI rinse, moving onto glycolic acid, then another IPA wash and final DI rinse.

Now I know these are safe on copper, but I'm not sure how the Pump and tubing will fair up. Any info greatly appreciated

twist3d0n3 · 4 Oct 2012 at 10:40

i think you should drink some too

e: you have made a grave mistake posting that in here

snedie · 4 Oct 2012 at 10:44

Ceryndrion · 4 Oct 2012 at 11:08

this...is...GD!

Oh, and yes, drink some, just to be sure..
and take pics..

with hovis..

platypus · 4 Oct 2012 at 11:11

Given that glycolic acid is using in facial creams and household cleaning liquids, I doubt it would be too much for rubber hosing, but just make sure you dilute it down.

Cosimo · 4 Oct 2012 at 11:12

Sounds like a big job. I'd get a plumber in to do it.

Col_M · 4 Oct 2012 at 11:42

What plastic are we talking about here? there are many types of polymer and they react differently to different chemicals.

aardvark · 4 Oct 2012 at 11:45

fine for short term use - rubber will perish on long exposure to acid, most plastics will be fine.

snedie · 4 Oct 2012 at 11:50

Tygon tubing and what ever plastic(s) an ek pump happens to be made of. I know the tygon will handle quite strong acids but the pump is my main concern. I'm not going to be using it in my build, but it's always useful to have a spare.

Thanks for info so far

alexthecheese · 4 Oct 2012 at 12:43

Might be worth watching an episode of Breaking Bad just to be sure?

snedie · 4 Oct 2012 at 12:50

alexthecheese said:
Might be worth watching an episode of Breaking Bad just to be sure?

When I cook meth, I mean if I was to cook meth I would be using glass not rubber.

Energize · 5 Oct 2012 at 04:26

platypus said:
Given that glycolic acid is using in facial creams and household cleaning liquids, I doubt it would be too much for rubber hosing, but just make sure you dilute it down.

You'd be surprised, some compounds made for human consumption will dissolve plastics quite quickly.

snedie · 5 Oct 2012 at 08:02

Energize said:
You'd be surprised, some compounds made for human consumption will dissolve plastics quite quickly.

Yup, that's why I wanted to check before I suddenly have litres of acid roaming my house.