Is ethylene glycol corrosive?

When using ethylene glycol as a coolant, the following points should be taken into account: 1. Its freezing point changes depending on the concentration of ethylene glycol in the aqueous solution. When the concentration is below 60%, an increase in the concentration of ethylene glycol in the solution leads to a decrease in the freezing point; however, once the concentration exceeds 60%, the freezing point rises as the concentration of ethylene glycol increases, and the viscosity also increases with rising concentration. When the concentration reaches 99.9%, its freezing point rises to -13.2°C; this is an important reason why concentrated antifreeze (antifreeze concentrate) cannot be used directly, and users must be aware of this. 　　2. Ethylene glycol contains hydroxyl groups; when it is exposed to temperatures between 80 and 90 degrees Celsius for an extended period of time, it is first oxidized to glycolic acid, and then further oxidized to oxalic acid, that is, ethanedioic acid (oxalic acid), which has 2 carboxyl groups. Oxalic acid and its byproducts first affect the central nervous system, then the heart, and subsequently the kidneys. Without appropriate treatment, excessive ingestion of ethylene glycol can lead to death. Ethylene glycol oxalate causes corrosion of equipment, leading to leaks. Therefore, the prepared antifreeze must also contain preservatives to prevent corrosion of steel and aluminum as well as the formation of scale.

Baidu Baike: “Ethylene glycol, also known as ‘glycol’ or ‘1,2-ethanediol’, is abbreviated as EG.” With the chemical formula (CH2OH)2, it is the simplest diol. Ethylene glycol is a colorless, odorless liquid with a sweet taste; it is toxic to animals, and the lethal dose for humans is approximately 1.6 g/kg. Ethylene glycol is miscible with water and propanol, but has low solubility in ethers. Used as a solvent, antifreeze, and raw material for synthesizing polyester. The polymer of ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol (PEG), is a phase-transfer catalyst that is also used in cell fusion ； Its *ao ester is a type of ** pump used for transporting ethylene glycol; in such cases, it is sufficient to consider whether the material of the seals can resist corrosion by alcohols, with the other materials requiring the same specifications as those used for handling clean water.

Ethylene glycol solutions are prone to acidification and corrosion; our company encountered this problem in the past, but after adding an inhibitor from Chaoyang Guangda Chemicals, we were able to prevent the acidification of ethylene glycol and stop corrosion, and the effect was indeed good.

The ethylene glycol aqueous solution system must ensure reliable sealing; if air gets in due to poor sealing, the ethylene glycol will oxidize and turn acidic

I know there are ethylene glycol corrosion inhibitors available that can effectively address the corrosion problem caused by ethylene glycol. Contact me if you need it.