Chemical Identification Liability The writer assumes no responsibility, expressed or implied, due to misuse or misinterpretation of the information or methods used, or for any vehicle damage or injury that may occur due to the suggestions and information offered. This is a list of chemicals found in some automotive products, giving their chemical names and synonyms, along with the effect they can have on vehicles. This is by no means an exhaustive list I can only comment on what the product manufacturer states his product contains (MSDS or product label) , and first-hand knowledge of how it performs, otherwise I might be subject to litigation When it comes to product marketing and technical specifications, it is also important to realize that all companies must keep secure their proprietary information and agreements. Without this, no business would have the incentive to develop new products, expand their market, stay competitive, and ultimately - exist. Critics say the lack of knowledge about chemicals exposes a system where environmental regulators largely rely on companies that profit from industrial chemicals to sound alarms about their safety. Questions about potential effects on human health and the environment often aren't raised until years after a chemical is introduced to the marketplace. Read the manufacturers application instructions and then obtain and read the MSDS sheet to ascertain the chemicals used, although it should be said that an MSDS is a document that contains details of the hazards associated with a particular chemical and provides information regarding its safe use. The MSDS is required to state the chemical's risks, safety and impact on the environment. Acids are highly corrosive; the skull and crossbones warning on an acid label is there for a reason; acids will etch or erode anything in its path, they are also very effective in dissolving metals and etching glass. Dilution Adding water to an acid it lowers its pH, i.e. it becomes more acidic; the process is called hydrolysis) The dilution of an acid doesn’t make it safer as the addition of a molecule of water to a chemical compound, without forming any other products is known as hydration (i.e. dilution causes the pH to decrease) But since pH is not a very good indicator of the strength of the acid in every system, this approach won't always produce the desired results. Chemical Name: Oxalic Acid Is a safer yet still very effective cleaning chemical, it will do a better job than alkaline cleaners, but is nowhere near as harmful to the vehicle or yourself. Oxalic acid is a relatively strong "weak acid" Oxalic acid exhibits many of the reactions characteristic of other carboxylic acids, it’s a relatively strong organic acid, being about 10,000 times stronger than acetic acid (Vinegar).This acid still needs to be handled with care and diluted correctly, but it’s safer than Hydrofluoric acid yet a very effective alternative. Chemical Name: Ammonia (NH3) The polarity of NH3 molecules and their ability to form hydrogen bonds explains to some extent the high solubility of ammonia in water, however, a chemical reaction also occurs when ammonia dissolves in water. In aqueous solution, ammonia acts as a base; acquiring hydrogen ions from H2O to yield ammonium and hydroxide ions the production of hydroxide ions when ammonia dissolves in water gives aqueous solutions of ammonia their characteristic alkaline (basic) properties. Not all of the dissolved ammonia reacts with water to form ammonium ions. A substantial fraction remains in the molecular form in solution, in other words, ammonia is a weak base, and quantitative indication of this strength is given by its base ionization constant Bleach and Ammonia have pH levels of 11.0-12.9 an Alkaline Chemical Name: Sodium Metasilicate, Anhydrous Synonyms: Silicic acid, sodium salt •Effects on Vehicle: Damages aluminium, causes chalking, streaks paint. •Found In: Cleaners, de-greasers Chemical Name: Hydrogen Fluoride Synonyms: HF, Hydrofluoric Acid Bi-ammonium fluoride, ammonium fluoride •Effects on person: Small amounts of concentrated hydrofluoric acid on the skin can be fatal. •Effects on Vehicle: Damages wheels, painted surfaces •Found In: Wheel Cleaner, Concrete Cleaner, Fallout Remover Hydrofluoric Acid: Is dangerous, just small amounts of concentrated hydrofluoric acid on the skin can be fatal. The purpose of this notice is to raise awareness of the inherent dangers associated with dermal contact with concentrated hydrofluoric acid and of the importance of observing strict precautions when handling it. Hydrofluoric acid is a corrosive and toxic liquid that is potentially fatal even following dermal exposure to small amounts (Burke et al., 1973). The fatality risks described highlights the potential for relatively small quantities of concentrated hydrofluoric acid to produce acute systemic toxicity and it is clear that laboratory personnel underestimated the risks associated with the acid Hydrofluoric (HF) acid's ability to dissolve oxides makes it important in the purification of both aluminium and uranium. It is also used to etch glass, to remove surface oxides from silicon in the semiconductor industry, as a catalyst for the alkylation of iso-butane and butene in oil refineries and to remove oxide impurities from stainless steel in a process called pickling. More information – 1.Hydrofluoric acid - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 2.Annual Occupational Hygiene, Vol. 40, No.6, pp. 705-710, 1996. Do not confuse hydrochloric acid (HCL) with hydrofluoric (HF, has a pH of 3.14) acid because of the similarity of names. On the skin, hydrochloric acid burns from the outside in. Hydrofluoric acid solution readily penetrates the skin and burns both skin and deeper tissues. If enough acid is absorbed, it may lethally affect the heart and nervous system. Ammonium hydrogen fluoride NH4HF2 (or Ammonium bifluoride SiO2) is miss-classified as the safe alternative to hydrogen fluoride, once mixed with water it becomes hydrogen fluoride one of the most common, and dangerous, acid wheel cleaners used in automatic carwashes today. Its effectiveness removing brake dust and difficult contaminants from wheels is undisputed, but most chemists say Ammonium bifluoride presents an unjustifiable and potentially lethal risk. Chemical Name: Benzene Synonyms: Benzol, Cyclohexatriene •Effects on Vehicle: Paint streaking, damage •Health Effects: Carcinogenic •Found In: Solvents, Compounds Chemical Name: Toluene Synonyms: Toulon, Methylbenzene •Effects on Vehicle: Paint streaking and damage •Health Effects: •Central nervous system depression, cardiac disrythmia •Found In: Solvents, Compounds Chemical Name: m-Xylene Synonyms: Meta-Xylene, 1,3-Dimethylbenzene, m-Xylol •Effects on Vehicle: Paint streaking and other damage •Found In: Solvents, Compounds Chemical Name: Phosphoric Acid Synonyms:Orthophosphoric acid •Effects on Vehicle Smokes wheels, chalks plastics •Found In: Wheel Cleaners, de-greasers, concrete cleaners Chemical Name: Sodium Hydroxide Synonyms: Caustic Soda, Sodium Hydrate, and Soda Lye •Effects on Vehicle: Strong oxidizer, causes discoloration, attacks rubber and plastics. •Found In: Cleaners Chemical Name: Potassium Hydroxide Synonyms: Caustic potash, Potassium hydrate, Potassium lye. •Effects on vehicle: Strong oxidizer affects paint in high % concentrations •Found In: Cleaners Chemical Name: 2-Butoxyethanol Synonyms: Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, Monobutyl glycol ether, Butyl •Effects on Vehicle: Spotting and discoloration on plastic and viny, and harsh on fabrics. Muriatic Acid Also a form of hydrochloric acid; Muriatic acid has a pH of 0.1 •Used to clean concrete MSDS and pH values •Acids can be safe if used with care and the directions are followed precisely. •Accidents and expensive replacements can always be avoided if you do some research and are smart about your choices. •Always check the products MSDS and its pH value before you use it. •Dilution of an acid- the addition of a molecule of water to a chemical compound, without forming any other products is known as hydration (i.e. dilution causes the pH to decrease) Environmental Commitment- please dispose of all non-biodegradable materials from your vehicle cleaning in a responsible manner Information resource 1.Chemistry Definitions (Terminology) Hamilton 2.Glossary of Chemical Terms - Faculty of Chemical Technology 3.National Petrochemical & Refiners Association (NPRA) 4.The Royal Society of Chemistry; Cambridge, 1995 Silicon-Containing Polymers Jones, Richard, G. 5.Wikipedia Dictionary (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) 6.Automotive Detailing Inside & Out; a Knowledge Base for the Perfectionist"– by Jon Miller © TOGWT ™ Ltd Copyright 2002-2008, all rights reserved Detailing Articles This is one of is one of a series of unbiased and informative, knowledge based, subject specific articles, which are dedicated to the automotive detailing enthusiast or professional detailer in search of development and further education Copyright Protection and intellectual property rights-© This work is registered with the UK Copyright Service that supports international copyright protection by securing independent evidence that will help prove originality and ownership in any future claims or disputes. 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