316 SS In Acid 1

[sreid]

We are starting a design for a lens polishing machine that uses an acid polish with a pH of 3. Is 316 SS a good choice for this application?

 

[unclesyd]

What's the acid?

 

[EdStainless]

And what is the polishing media?
Off hand this doesn't sound like a good idea, but give us more info.

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Corrosion never sleeps, but it can be managed.

http://www.trenttube.com/Trent/tech_form.htm

 

[sreid]

Thank you for your responses. The polish slurry is a one micron grit in a water based fluid. The chemistry is unknown but the polishing is done by both abrasive and chemical means and the acidity is part of that process. The slurry system is an open tank with a centrifugal pump that pumps the slurry to the polishing heads in the processing chamber and is then returned to the supply tank by gravity.

We have experience with similar slurries but this is more acidic than in the past. Would I be better of using polyethelene or teflon perhaps as a lining?

 

[mcguire]

sreid
Without knowing the chemistry, I doubt that our experts would green light 316. If the chemical action of the polish is sufficient to attack lens material, a glass,I presume, then it may harm stainless. HF comes to mind. The supplier of the polishing compound should have material data safety information. It may be relevent to your safety, too.