Which materials can be used safely to store fluorine gas?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Fluorine is a highly reactive, powerful oxidizing agent that requires careful handling and storage. At ordinary temperatures, certain dry metals can be used to store fluorine gas because they quickly form a protective fluoride layer that prevents further corrosion. These materials include:1

  • Mild steel1
  • Copper1
  • Aluminum1
  • Monel (a nickel-copper alloy)1

For specialized storage, fluorine can be safely kept under pressure in stainless steel cylinders, provided that the valves are entirely free from traces of organic matter, as fluorine reacts violently with organic substances like rubber, wood, and cloth.12

For higher temperature applications, Monel is suitable for use up to 600 °C (1,100 °F), while sintered alumina is resistant to fluorine at temperatures up to 700 °C (1,300 °F). When lubricants are necessary in these systems, fluorocarbon oils are the most suitable choice.1