Quote:
Originally Posted by The Clockie
I use essence of ant: formic acid, for descaling the kettle. Would that work as well? It doesn't come in gel form, so far as I know.
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Acid will act on the oxidation to remove the oxygen, so formic acid would work. Like citric, it is considered to be a 'weak acid'. In contrast, hydrochloric is a strong acid. The pH values, assuming the same concentration of 0.1N(M), are 2.3 (formic), 2.2 (citric) and 1.1 (hydrochloric).
So formic and citric acids will be less effective than hydrochloric, but also less damaging (if that's a concern). If you look at my earlier thread, you'll see that the Australian formulation for Harpic contains formic, rather than hydrochloric, acid, presumably for environmental reasons.
For what it's worth, the active ingredient in Solvol's own Bluing Remover, is hydrochloric acid. It also contains 'secret ingredients', which probably include a corrosion inhibitor.
http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/s...93&postcount=1