Is fibre glass resistant to battery acid

M

matnoo

Well-Known Member
Joined
6 Jun 2006
Messages
171
Location
Solihull, W.mids
www.faceparty.com
My battery isnt encased in a stainless steel/styrene tub, its just inbetween two bulkheads. Im pretty sure its not going to leak in the next few weeks before i get round to making one, but i was just wondering, if it does, does acid affect fibreglass? I was under the impression that it doesnt.

Mat
 
Yes and no! Depends on the resin. In cases of long term resistance to strong acid attack special resins are available, but the short answer is for a battery casing don't worry about standard polyester.
 
I had a major acid spill after a battery case split. It was contained in the battery compartment's gelcoated interior moulding (on a Sadler 29) and despite the fact it had probably been there several days when I found it, there was no visible damage to the GRP whatsoever (unlike what happened to my trousers after lifting the broken battery out!!)
 
I can tell you what happens if the inside of the battery box isn't gelcoated.

I have been called out to several TVRs which had electrical problems. The battery sits in a GRP box above the fusebox.

The battery had leaked (not much) and the electrolyte had seeped through the box and damaged the electrics. Not a clever set-up.

So, ungelcoated layup is porous to dilute hydrochloric acid - and to water BTW.
Gelcoat MIGHT improve the porosity to HCl, as it does for water, but the acid might just eat the gelcoat.
 
I thought lead-acid batteries use dilute sulphuric acid.
Apparently, for 30% sulphuric acid:
Epoxy is not resistant.
All polyesters are resistant up to 70 deg.C.
Vinyl esters to 90 deg. C.
Nylon is attacked.
Cotton, wool, and rayon is attacked (explains the trousers)
Phenolics are resistant.
Borosilicate glass is resistant.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top