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Erythorbic Acid substitutes
Hello:
We are a minority business company working in Puerto Rico, performing chemical cleaning and passivation for the pharmaceutical and general industry. We will like to know what chemicals can be used to substitute Erythorbic Acid. Erythorbic acid chemical takes part of the acid chelation stage during a passivation procedure. Erythorbic acid is too expensive and unavailable, altogether prohibitive. Erythorbic acid is also known as Isoascorbic acid. Commercial name is Erybate. We will strongly appreciate your recommendation.
Julio C. NazarioChemical Cleanings and Passivations - San German, Puerto Rico
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Citric acid formulations are normally used very effectively and economically for this process in the pharmaceutical industry. These products are available in Puerto Rico. Let us know if you need help.
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 Lee Kremer Stellar Solutions, Inc.  McHenry, Illinois |
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Citric acid will behave like most other acids. If copper is present, it will dissolve and redeposit on steel to present cathodic spots on the steel where corrosion will occur. Even without copper, acid cleaned steel will result in heavy deposits that must be removed manually and the steel surface will rust during rinsing. There are other ways to clean steel that result in little or no sludge and a passivated steel surface much like gun metal.
Fred N. Teumac- Ft. Myers, Florida, USA
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Ed. note: Please feel free to detail those other ways, Fred.