p-Toluenesulfonic acid reactions with stainless steel

[pitg]

I am looking for any data about p-Toluenesulfonic acid, and how it reacts with S.St (and other metals).

Can any one help?

 

[Guest102023]

That's a new one for me - try contacting the chemical manufacturer, as well as folks like Carpenter or Special Metals.

 

[cloa]

In what form, solid essentially pure or dissolved in water (where its a very strong acid)?

 

[pitg]

cloa, the form of PTSA is a clear acid.
I know that PTSA is very strong acid, I will try to contact with the manufacturer (as brimstoner's advice).

 

[unclesyd]

We store and react PTSA in 316L tanks and systems for the manufacture of Methyl Esters of Carboxylic Acids.

I'll try to check and see how we received the PTSA and what is the solvent to get it into the reactor.

 

[blacksmith37]

Caution: I presume the sulfonic radical could separate in a water phase, if that is possible you have taken a couple steps toward making "polythionic" acid which can stress crack any sensitized (weld HAZ) austenitic SS (304, 316). Stabilized grades (321, 347 ) are resistant.

 

[unclesyd]

I jsut checked and the MOC for P-TSA acid is 316L SS. They use a low sulfuric aid grade of p-TSA. All I could get it's under 10% Sulphuric Acid in the p-TSA.

With our process the use of 316L is required because of the corrosive nature of the Carboxylic Acids above their melting points and the free H2SO4 in the p-TSA.