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WHY DOES BATTERY ACID DISSOLVE METALS BUT NOT PLASTICS?




I need help with research for my science fair project. My question is: Why does battery acid [affil links] dissolve metals but not plastics? Please point me in the right direction to gather enough information to form a working experiment.

Brittani S.
student - Mary Esther, Florida, USA
October 1, 2008



October 9, 2008

Brittani,

Battery Acid is a particular strength of sulfuric acid. Acids will attack some metals and not others (a simplification). This is why certain metals may be used to hold acid solutions or used in the mixing of them.

Plastics are similar. Some, because of their chemical structure, are resistant to some acids in some strengths. This varies widely with the type of plastic, the type of acid, the strength of the acid and the temperature of the acid.

Gene Packman
process supplier - Great Neck, New York



November 27, 2008

Hi Brittani,

Gene spelt that out to you pretty well,

When I was dealing with battery plants, we'd make the
holding tank from commercial 96% sulfuric but the car
type batteries only got around 36%.

Entire systems were made of ordinary PVC

In the olden days, the retention tanks were made of lead.

freeman newton portrait
Freeman Newton [deceased]
(It is our sad duty to advise that Freeman passed away
April 21, 2012. R.I.P. old friend).




Freeman -good to see you back! Hope all is well with you.

trevor crichton
Trevor Crichton
R&D practical scientist
Chesham, Bucks, UK
December 14, 2008




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