Acetic Acid

Description

A colourless liquid normally carried in glass or plastic carboys in an outer packing of box, drum or hamper, also in metal or plastic drums. Miscible with water. Becomes flammable when containing more than 80% acid by weight.

A combustible liquid when heated. Corrosive to lead and most other metals. Strong irritant to skin. Odour may taint other cargoes. At low temperatures is likely to turn cloudy with no detrimental effect. Distortion of, and leakage from containers may be caused by expansion of contents due to rise in temperature. Aluminium containers with bung screw caps are liable to breakage at seams. Wooden casks are not suitable for long voyages due to possible corrosion and disintegration of hoops. Glacial Acetic Acid is the pure compound and crystallizes at temperatures below 16°C without ill effect of the product. When frozen may move freely and cause breakage with consequent leakage on reliquefying. See also Acids

Hazard: IMDG Class 8 Corrosive, also flammable