Calcium Chloride Home : Frequently Asked Questions : General Questions

What materials of construction are recommended for storing liquid calcium chloride solutions?

The preferred material of construction for large liquid storage tanks is carbon steel with an epoxy-based interior coating and a durable, high-quality coating on the exterior. Non-metallic materials, such as fiberglass or plastic, work well for smaller tanks storing product at ambient temperature; however, these materials are not as durable as carbon steel and they lose strength at high temperature.

Stainless steels are generally not suitable for liquid calcium chloride storage due to their vulnerability to chloride-induced stress cracking. Unlined carbon steel in continuous liquid calcium chloride service at ambient temperature is expected to corrode 10-20 mils per year, which may or may not be acceptable depending on the situation.

Containers constructed from 5454 or 6061 aluminum have been shown to passivate with time without suffering excessive corrosion and uneconomical service life.

For additional information related to this topic, click on the link below.

Calcium Chloride: A Guide to Handling and Storage