Lactic acid is also known as 2-hydroxypropanoic acid and has a variety of uses. It is used in food processing as a preservative, in the production of plastics, and as a cleaning agent in the pharmaceutical industry. It is also used in the production of textiles, in tanning, and as a pH adjuster in many industries.
When rubber is exposed to lactic acid, it can cause swelling, shrinkage, brittleness, cracking, and discoloration. Swelling of the rubber will result in a decrease in the dimensional stability of the material, while shrinkage and discoloration can cause the rubber to become brittle and degrade. Exposure to lactic acid can also cause the rubber to react with other chemicals and increase the rate of chemical degradation.
Viton ® o-rings from Marco Rubber offer excellent compatibility with a range of chemicals, oils and resist high temperatures up to 400F. Viton ® is also known as FKM made of fluoroelastomer one of the most versatile and widely used sealing materials.
View some of our other material compatibility ratings with LACTIC ACID, COLD. 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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