ACO Drain channel bodies are highly resistant to chemical attack and, with the appropriate grate, can be used in most environments where acids and dilute alkalis are encountered.

Refer to chemical chart below for resistance of Polyester polymer concrete. Standard products are manufactured using polyester resin.

These recommendations are for guidance only. Customers are advised to test a sample of polymer concrete to ensure suitability. Test samples are available free of charge from ACO.

Important considerations for chemical environments
When reviewing potential applications of trench drains in chemical environments, the following issues should be considered;

1. Type(s) of chemical(s), including mixture composition %.
2. Concentration percentages.
3. Contact time with trench system.
4. Temperatures of chemicals flowing into the trench drain. (82°C max).
5. Flushing system employed to clear chemicals from the system.
6. Cleaning agents should be checked for compatibility with trench materials.
7. Test samples can be used for final determination of chemical resistance.
8. Grate, locking mechanism, edge rail, outlet and rubbish basket materials should be checked for chemical resistance.
9. Check sealant for compatibility, if applicable.

		Polyester
Chemical Medium		Max. Conc	Short Term Exposure 72 Hours	Long Term Exposure 42 Days
Acetic Acid Acetone Ammonia Aniline Aniline in Ethyl Alcohol Benzene Boric Acid Butyric Acid Butyl Alcohol Calcium Chloride Calcium Hydroxide Caster Oil Chloric Acid Chromic Acid Citric Acid Diesel Fuel Ethanol Ethlendiamine Ethyl Acetate Ferrous Sulfate Fluorallic Acid Formaldehyde Formic Acid Fuel Oil n-Heptane n-Hexane Hydraulic Oil Hydrochloric Acid Hydrofluoric Acid JP4 JP8 Lactic Acid Methanol Methyl Amine Methyl Ethyl Ketone Mineral Oil SAE5W50 Monochlor Benzene Monochloroacetic Acid Nitric Acid n-Nonane Iso-Octane Oxalic Acid Petrol Phenol Phosphoric Acid Potassium Hydroxide Sodium Acetate Sodium Carbonate Sodium Chloride Sodium Hydroxide Sodium Hypochloric Sulfuric Acid Tetrafluoroborsaure Toluene Trichloroethylene Triethylamine Xylene		30% 10% 10% 100% 10% 100% 100% 25% 100% 100% 100% 100% 5% 5% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 30% 10% 35% 10% 100% 100% 100% 100% 10% 5% 100% 100% 10% 5% 100% 100% 100% 0.05% 10% 10% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 10% 10% 100% 20% 100% 15% 5% 40% 20% 100% 100% 100% 100%	Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y	N N N N Y N Y Y Y Y N Y N Y Y Y N Y N Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y N N N Y N Y N Y N Y Y N Y N N Y Y N Y Y N N N Y N

Modular trench drain systems are generally manufactured from either polymer concrete, GRC (glass fibre reinforced concrete) or HDPE (High Density Polyethylene). ACO Drain commercial grated trench systems are manufactured from polymer concrete. Other materials do not meet the compressive strength and thermal expansion properties required in commercial and industrial applications.

ACO only uses HDPE as a trench material for domestic applications.

Polymer Concrete
Polymer concrete is a versatile composite material produced by mixing mineral aggregates with a resin binding agent. The finished material has excellent mechanical and thermal properties and offers good corrosion resistance to many chemicals. A maximum working temperature of 82°C is recommended.

For increased chemical resistance, Vinyl ester polymer concrete is available. This consists of vinylester resin binder with superior silica aggregate fillers.

See chemical resistance chart for further details.

Due to their structural rigidity, polymer concrete trench drains, when installed properly can be used in a variety of pavement types such as concrete, asphalt and brick pavers.

GRC
Glass fibre reinforced concrete (GRC) is a mixture of cement, fine aggregate, water, chemical admixtures and alkali resistant glass fibres. GRC is predominantly used for building cladding panels.

Cement Concrete
Cement concrete is Portland cement mixed with aggregates. Generally used for large cast-in-situ slab applications, where mass is required for structural rigidity.

PE (Plastic)
Polyethylene (PE) is the most common plastic used in trench drains. PE is a readily available, economical material that is easy to mould. PE has thermal properties that requires moulded features to key into the concrete. Without these features, and dependent on the short term temperature range, the trench may lose bond (pull away) from its concrete encasement and buckle.

Grates
Grates are manufactured from a variety of materials. The most common are ductile iron, mild steel, stainless steel and plastic. Grates need higher tensile properties than the trench body to withstand direct loads. Grates can be removed, changed or easily replaced after installation, unlike the trench drain body

For assistance with material properties of grates, contact our Technical Service Department using the Contact Us form, or call +61 2 4747 4000

Key: - Good - Acceptable - Poor