Arkema Methanesulfonic Acid

Application
Information

Cleaning and Descaling

Arkema Methanesulfonic Acid (MSA) offers an outstanding combination of properties for use in hard surface cleaning
and removal of lime and iron scales. This brochure outlines the results of Arkema studies on its use in cleaning and
descaling applications, and provides relevant physical and chemical properties for MSA and its salts.
The benefits provided by Arkema MSA in cleaning and descaling applications can be summarize as follows:

Strong acidity
Forms highly solubility salts
Non-foaming and not a hydrotope
Stable to most oxidizing agents
Non-oxidizing
Low corrosivity to metals vs. other acids
Low toxicity and ecotoxicity

Promotes rapid attack on carbonate and oxide scales

Enhanced dissolution and removal of salts
Combine with cationic, anionic or non-ionic surfactants.
Formulate with H2O2 or peracetic acid bleaching agents
Minimize degradation of other formulation components
Less damaging to pipes and fixtures
Dilute solutions safe for discharge to waste treatment facilities

Acidity
Arkema MSA is a very strong organic acid. Like the
strong mineral acids HCl and H2SO4, MSA essentially
fully dissociates to H3O+ upon dilution in water.

CH3SO3H + H2O

H3O + CH3SO3

MSAs acidity in aqueous solutions is substantially

greater than that of phosphoric, sulfamic, or the
carboxylic acids.
The high acidity of Arkema MSA promotes rapid reaction
with carbonate and oxide scales.

Relative Acidity
(dilute aqueous)

Acid

pKa

Sulfuric
Hydrochloric
MSA
Sulfamic
Phosphoric
Citric
Glycolic
Acetic

-3.5, +2.0
-3.0
-1.92
+1.0
+2.2, +7.2, +12.3
+3.1, +4.8, +6.4
+3.8
+4.8

1.0
+
(as H3O )

Strong
Acids

0.1
0.006
7.5 x 10-4
1.5 x 10-4
1.8 x 10-5

Weak
Acids

Carbonic

+6.4, + 10.3

6.3 x 10-7

BEFORE HANDLING MSA, READ AND UNDERSTAND THE ARKEMA MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET (MSDS)
WHICH PROVIDES ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AND SAFETY,
HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION.
The statements, technical information and recommendations contained herein are believed to be accurate as of the date hereof. Since the
conditions and methods of use of the product and of the information referred to herein are beyond our control, Arkema Inc. expressly disclaims
any and all liability as to any results obtained or arising from any use of the product or reliance on such information; NO WARRANTY OF
FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE, WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR ANY OTHER WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
IS MADE CONCERNING THE GOODS DESCRIBED OR THE INFORMATION PROVIDED HEREIN. The information provided herein relates
only to the specific product designated and may not be applicable when such product is used in combination with other materials or in any
process. The user should thoroughly test any application before commercialization. Nothing contained herein should be taken as an inducement
to infringe any patient and the user is advised to take appropriate steps to be assured that any proposed use of the product will not result in
patent infringement.

Version 1.1
January 17, 2007

Arkema Groupement de Recherches de Lacq, R.N. 117, B.P. 34, 64170 Lacq, France - fax: 33 (0) 5 59 92 67 30
Arkema Research Center, 900 First Avenue, P.O. Box 61536, King of Prussia, PA 19406 USA - fax: 610-878-6730
Arkema Customer Service (US) toll free telephone 800-628-4453
Page 1 of 4

Arkema Product Information

Methanesulfonic Acid (MSA)

Cleaning and Descaling Applications (V1.1)

Page 2 of 4
Salt Solubility

Arkema MSA offers high solubilities for many of its salts.

In cleaning/descaling applications, the high solubilities
inhibit redeposition of the formed salt, thus enhancing
removal rate.
In contrast, the calcium and iron salts formed by
treatment with sulfuric acid or phosphoric acid are very
poorly soluble, and can redeposit after formation.

Aqueous Salt Solubilities

[grams salt/gram solution, 18-22C]
Na
K
Ca
Mg

Fe(II)

CH3SO3

0.49

0.46

0.33

0.26

~ 0.41

Cl

0.26

0.25

0.43

0.35

0.38

H2NSO3

0.42

CH3CO2

0.32

0.72

0.22

0.35

HCO2

0.45

0.77

0.14

0.13

HSO4

0.33

2.0 x 10

-3

0.25

0.21

-3

SO4

0.16

0.10

H2PO4

3.0 x 10

PO43

3.0 x 10-4

HCO3

0.25

0.14

CO3

0.18

0.53

1.3 x 10

-5

1.1 x 10

-4

7.2 x 10-4

Reactivity of MSA in Descaling

Arkema studies have shown MSA to offer superior performance in removing calcium and iron scales.

Arkema MSA vs. phosphoric or citric acids:

MSA offers more rapid attack on calcium scales than phosphoric or citric acids:
Calcium Carbonate

4 g/L
12 g/L

250

mg/L
Ca

Calcium Oxalate (beer stone)

200
150

mg/L
Ca

4 g/L
12 g/L

200
150
100

100

50

50
0

250

0
MSA

H3PO4

Citric

MSA

H3PO4

Citric

Test conditions: Calcium carbonate cubes (1 cm3) or powdered calcium

oxalate (6 g) in 100 g of acid solution (4 or 12 g L-1 acid) over 24 hours at 70C.

BEFORE HANDLING MSA, READ AND UNDERSTAND THE ARKEMA MATERIAL SAFETY DATA
SHEET (MSDS) WHICH PROVIDES ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON PERSONAL PROTECTIVE
EQUIPMENT AND SAFETY, HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION.

Arkema Product Information

Methanesulfonic Acid (MSA)

Cleaning and Descaling Applications (V1.1)

Page 3 of 4
Reactivity of MSA in Descaling Contd

aC
C

Arkema MSA vs. other acids:

MSA offers significantly more rapid
dissolution of calcium oxalate than
sulfamic, phosphoric or the carboxylic
acids.

3
2O

O
3

Test conditions: Powdered calcium oxalate

(6 g) in 100 g of acidic solution (34 g L-1)
over 24 hours at 60C.

Fe

g/L
Dissolved
Cation

MSA
Sulfamic Acid

)2

The dissolution properties of Arkema MSA

towards various calcium and iron
scales/salts is similar-to-better than
sulfamic acid.

8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
C
a(
C
O
O

Arkema MSA vs. sulfamic acid:

C
aS
O
4

250
200

mg/L
Dissolved
Ca2+

150
100
50

Test conditions: Powdered calcium

oxalate (6 g) in 100 g of acidic solution
(12 g L-1) over 24 hours at 70C.

ly
co
lic
G

Ci
tri
c

M
al
ei
c
Ph
os
ph
or
ic

ic

Su
lfa
m

M
SA

Toxicity and Eco-Toxicity

The toxicity and ecotoxicity of Arkema MSA arises from its high acidity, which is similar to that of the strong mineral
acids. Arkema testing has shown

Neutralized MSA (methanesulfonate anion) offers extremely low toxicity.

MSA is not genotoxic, not teratogenic, not a skin sensitizer, and is not expected to bioaccumulate.

MSA is readily biodegradable (100% after 28 days).

MSA can be directly discharged to waste treatment plants at concentrations up to 160 mg L-1 as the acid, or
more than 1.75 g L-1 after neutralization.

MSA is currently not approved by the US FDA for direct or indirect food contact.
Contact Arkema for additional toxicity and eco-toxicity information.
National Inventories
EINECS 200-898-6
DSL (Canada) listed

Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number 75-75-2

TSCA (USA) listed
ENCS (Japan) 2-1582
AICS (Australia) listed
ECL (Korea) KE-23186
PICCS (The Philippines) listed

BEFORE HANDLING MSA, READ AND UNDERSTAND THE ARKEMA MATERIAL SAFETY DATA
SHEET (MSDS) WHICH PROVIDES ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON PERSONAL PROTECTIVE
EQUIPMENT AND SAFETY, HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION.

Arkema Product Information

Methanesulfonic Acid (MSA)

Cleaning and Descaling Applications (V1.1)

Page 4 of 4
Corrosivity

Results from several studies on the comparative corrosivity of MSA with other strong acids are tabulated below.
As would be expected for strong acids in water, the relative corrosivities vary with concentration, temperature and the
exposed metal. The corrosivity of aqueous MSA towards carbon steel, aluminium or copper is similar to that for
phosphoric acid, and substantially less than that for sulfamic acid or HCl. MSA at low concentrations is not corrosive
towards stainless steels, but corrosion accelerates at higher temperatures of concentrations.
Contact Arkema for information on MSA compatibilities with other materials of construction.
This information is intended as guidance. Arkema provides no warranty on the suitability of MSA for contact with any
material. We strongly recommend that customers conduct their own testing to assure compatibility of MSA and other
components in mixtures with the materials of construction.
Comparative Corrosivity of Aqueous Acids to Various Metals
(m/year at 40C)
Acid
Carbon Steel XC18
Stainless Steel 316L
Aluminum Al4G5
Copper
MSA
1867
0.4
1620
140
Phosphoric
2034
0.6
1413
105
Sulfamic
3766
0.4
3501
Hydrochloric
5099
246
4682
Test conditions: Steel coupons immersed for 7 days, static conditions, 100 mL closed reactor, per ASTM
methods. Coupon dimensions: 60x10x1 mm.
Comparative Corrosivity of Acids to Stainless Steels
Effect of Temperature (m/year)
Stainless Steel
Acid
Temperature (C)
Concentration (g L-1)
Corrosion Rate
304L
MSA
60
10
0-2
304L
Phosphoric
60
10
5 11
304L
Sulfuric
60
10
appx 70
316L
MSA
90
10
10 - 16
316L
Sulfuric
90
10
66 - 173
316L
MSA
90
100
42 - 79
Test conditions: Steel coupons immersed for 8 days, static conditions, 100 mL closed reactor, per ASTM
methods. Concentrations given as g pure acid per L.

Acid

MSA

Corosivity of MSA and Sulfuric Acid towards Stainless Steels

Effects of Temperature and Concentration (m/year)
Aqueous Acid Concentration (mol L-1)
Steel
Temperature
0.1
0.5
1.0
2.5
5
45C
0.645
380
314
517
396
SS304L
90C
167
624
21457
9353
SS316L
SS304L

H2SO4

45C

1.2

90C
45C
90C

38.3

142

167

139

13.2

60.5

431

1779

1.17
395

536
35068
39181
- - - - intense corrosion - - - -

10
6551
689

45C
0.195
115
2587
33000
90C
119
7357
40522
40458
Test conditions: Steel coupons immersed for 7 days, static conditions, 100 mL closed reactor, per ASTM
methods. Coupon dimensions: 60x10x1 mm.
SS316L

Unit conversion: 25.4 m = 1 mil = 0.001 inches

In chemical processing equipment, corrosion rates less than 100 m/year are generally regarded as acceptable.
BEFORE HANDLING MSA, READ AND UNDERSTAND THE ARKEMA MATERIAL SAFETY DATA
SHEET (MSDS) WHICH PROVIDES ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON PERSONAL PROTECTIVE
EQUIPMENT AND SAFETY, HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION.