Formic acid, also known as methanoic acid, is a colorless liquid with a distinct odor. It is a widely used industrial chemical, used as a preservative in livestock feed and as an intermediate in the production of other chemicals. Common uses of formic acid include dye manufacturing, leather tanning, rubber processing, and as a pH adjuster in water treatment.
Common types of failures when rubber is exposed to formic acid include swelling, hardening, cracking, and discoloration. Prolonged exposure to formic acid can cause the rubber to become hard and brittle, leading to brittleness and cracking upon mechanical stress. Additionally, formic acid can cause the rubber to swell, leading to eventual breakdown and degradation. Formic acid may also cause the rubber to become sticky, leading to adhesion and sticking to other surfaces, as well as discoloration.
EPDM o-rings, or ethylene propylene o-rings, are a family of synthetic elastomers with lower cost steam and chemical resistance, particularly for applications involving solvents, acids and other mild chemicals. Marco Rubber has the world’s largest inventory network of EPDM o-rings and made on demand custom manufacturing often without tooling fees, so the EPDM o-rings you need are always available. Whether it’s for water systems, braking systems, medical, pharmaceutical, food or dairy use, you can count on Marco Rubber to deliver your o-rings fast and efficiently.
View some of our other material compatibility ratings with FORMIC ACID. If you don't see what you're looking for or need more guidance, our team of experienced sealing design engineers can help select the best sealing products and material for your specific application.
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