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Arkema Methanesulfonic Acid (MSA) offers an outstanding combination of properties for use in hard surface cleaning
and removal of lime and iron scales. This brochure outlines the results of Arkema studies on its use in cleaning and
descaling applications, and provides relevant physical and chemical properties for MSA and its salts.
The benefits provided by Arkema MSA in cleaning and descaling applications can be summarize as follows:
Strong acidity
Forms highly solubility salts
Non-foaming and not a hydrotope
Stable to most oxidizing agents
Non-oxidizing
Low corrosivity to metals vs. other acids
Low toxicity and ecotoxicity
Acidity
Arkema MSA is a very strong organic acid. Like the
strong mineral acids HCl and H2SO4, MSA essentially
fully dissociates to H3O+ upon dilution in water.
CH3SO3H + H2O
H3O + CH3SO3
Relative Acidity
(dilute aqueous)
Acid
pKa
Sulfuric
Hydrochloric
MSA
Sulfamic
Phosphoric
Citric
Glycolic
Acetic
-3.5, +2.0
-3.0
-1.92
+1.0
+2.2, +7.2, +12.3
+3.1, +4.8, +6.4
+3.8
+4.8
1.0
+
(as H3O )
Strong
Acids
0.1
0.006
7.5 x 10-4
1.5 x 10-4
1.8 x 10-5
Weak
Acids
Carbonic
+6.4, + 10.3
6.3 x 10-7
BEFORE HANDLING MSA, READ AND UNDERSTAND THE ARKEMA MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET (MSDS)
WHICH PROVIDES ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AND SAFETY,
HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION.
The statements, technical information and recommendations contained herein are believed to be accurate as of the date hereof. Since the
conditions and methods of use of the product and of the information referred to herein are beyond our control, Arkema Inc. expressly disclaims
any and all liability as to any results obtained or arising from any use of the product or reliance on such information; NO WARRANTY OF
FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE, WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR ANY OTHER WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
IS MADE CONCERNING THE GOODS DESCRIBED OR THE INFORMATION PROVIDED HEREIN. The information provided herein relates
only to the specific product designated and may not be applicable when such product is used in combination with other materials or in any
process. The user should thoroughly test any application before commercialization. Nothing contained herein should be taken as an inducement
to infringe any patient and the user is advised to take appropriate steps to be assured that any proposed use of the product will not result in
patent infringement.
Version 1.1
January 17, 2007
Arkema Groupement de Recherches de Lacq, R.N. 117, B.P. 34, 64170 Lacq, France - fax: 33 (0) 5 59 92 67 30
Arkema Research Center, 900 First Avenue, P.O. Box 61536, King of Prussia, PA 19406 USA - fax: 610-878-6730
Arkema Customer Service (US) toll free telephone 800-628-4453
Page 1 of 4
Fe(II)
CH3SO3
0.49
0.46
0.33
0.26
~ 0.41
Cl
0.26
0.25
0.43
0.35
0.38
H2NSO3
0.42
CH3CO2
0.32
0.72
0.22
0.35
HCO2
0.45
0.77
0.14
0.13
HSO4
0.33
2.0 x 10
-3
0.25
0.21
-3
SO4
0.16
0.10
H2PO4
3.0 x 10
PO43
3.0 x 10-4
HCO3
0.25
0.14
CO3
0.18
0.53
1.3 x 10
-5
1.1 x 10
-4
7.2 x 10-4
4 g/L
12 g/L
250
mg/L
Ca
200
150
mg/L
Ca
4 g/L
12 g/L
200
150
100
100
50
50
0
250
0
MSA
H3PO4
Citric
MSA
H3PO4
Citric
BEFORE HANDLING MSA, READ AND UNDERSTAND THE ARKEMA MATERIAL SAFETY DATA
SHEET (MSDS) WHICH PROVIDES ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON PERSONAL PROTECTIVE
EQUIPMENT AND SAFETY, HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION.
aC
C
3
2O
O
3
Fe
g/L
Dissolved
Cation
MSA
Sulfamic Acid
)2
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
C
a(
C
O
O
C
aS
O
4
250
200
mg/L
Dissolved
Ca2+
150
100
50
ly
co
lic
G
Ci
tri
c
M
al
ei
c
Ph
os
ph
or
ic
ic
Su
lfa
m
M
SA
MSA is currently not approved by the US FDA for direct or indirect food contact.
Contact Arkema for additional toxicity and eco-toxicity information.
National Inventories
EINECS 200-898-6
DSL (Canada) listed
BEFORE HANDLING MSA, READ AND UNDERSTAND THE ARKEMA MATERIAL SAFETY DATA
SHEET (MSDS) WHICH PROVIDES ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON PERSONAL PROTECTIVE
EQUIPMENT AND SAFETY, HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION.
Results from several studies on the comparative corrosivity of MSA with other strong acids are tabulated below.
As would be expected for strong acids in water, the relative corrosivities vary with concentration, temperature and the
exposed metal. The corrosivity of aqueous MSA towards carbon steel, aluminium or copper is similar to that for
phosphoric acid, and substantially less than that for sulfamic acid or HCl. MSA at low concentrations is not corrosive
towards stainless steels, but corrosion accelerates at higher temperatures of concentrations.
Contact Arkema for information on MSA compatibilities with other materials of construction.
This information is intended as guidance. Arkema provides no warranty on the suitability of MSA for contact with any
material. We strongly recommend that customers conduct their own testing to assure compatibility of MSA and other
components in mixtures with the materials of construction.
Comparative Corrosivity of Aqueous Acids to Various Metals
(m/year at 40C)
Acid
Carbon Steel XC18
Stainless Steel 316L
Aluminum Al4G5
Copper
MSA
1867
0.4
1620
140
Phosphoric
2034
0.6
1413
105
Sulfamic
3766
0.4
3501
Hydrochloric
5099
246
4682
Test conditions: Steel coupons immersed for 7 days, static conditions, 100 mL closed reactor, per ASTM
methods. Coupon dimensions: 60x10x1 mm.
Comparative Corrosivity of Acids to Stainless Steels
Effect of Temperature (m/year)
Stainless Steel
Acid
Temperature (C)
Concentration (g L-1)
Corrosion Rate
304L
MSA
60
10
0-2
304L
Phosphoric
60
10
5 11
304L
Sulfuric
60
10
appx 70
316L
MSA
90
10
10 - 16
316L
Sulfuric
90
10
66 - 173
316L
MSA
90
100
42 - 79
Test conditions: Steel coupons immersed for 8 days, static conditions, 100 mL closed reactor, per ASTM
methods. Concentrations given as g pure acid per L.
Acid
MSA
H2SO4
45C
1.2
90C
45C
90C
38.3
142
167
139
13.2
60.5
431
1779
1.17
395
536
35068
39181
- - - - intense corrosion - - - -
10
6551
689
45C
0.195
115
2587
33000
90C
119
7357
40522
40458
Test conditions: Steel coupons immersed for 7 days, static conditions, 100 mL closed reactor, per ASTM
methods. Coupon dimensions: 60x10x1 mm.
SS316L