Laboratory cabinets for acids, bases and labware
A laboratory chemical cabinet (also called a corrosive storage cabinet, corrosive cabinet or acid-alkali cabinet) stores corrosive reagents such as acids and bases, and the labware used with them. This page covers two groups: all-PP acid-alkali cabinets (plastic body, 2–90 gallons, plus an all-PP chemical cabinet and labware cabinet) and steel cabinets with a PP liner (4–45 gallons). Flammable solvents belong in a flammable safety cabinet — please ask us.
Models
| Type | Capacity |
|---|---|
| All-PP acid-alkali cabinet (plastic body) | 2, 4, 12, 15, 22, 30, 45, 60, 90 gal |
| All-PP chemical cabinet | One size |
| All-PP labware cabinet | One size |
| Steel cabinet with PP liner (acid- and alkali-resistant) | 4, 12, 15, 22, 30, 45 gal |
Volume pricing on request. Other sizes and colors on request.
How to choose
- Choose the capacity in gallons by the amount you store.
- All-PP cabinets have a plastic body; steel cabinets have a PP liner.
- Steel cabinets come in yellow or blue at the same price — please tell us the color when you ask for a quote.
How to store
- Keep acids and bases apart, in different cabinets. Caltech’s guide states that if there is no second cabinet, inorganic acids and bases should at least go on different shelves, each with its own spill tray.
- Store oxidizing acids separately: oxidizing acids such as nitric acid must be kept away from other acids.
- Don’t store acids in a flammable safety cabinet: acids damage the cabinet and the containers inside. Organic acids such as acetic acid are the exception and can be stored there if kept separate.
- Why a plastic cabinet: corrosive chemicals attack metal parts. Justrite notes that all-polyethylene cabinets have no metal parts and are not corroded by strong acids or bases; the University of Nebraska Omaha guide also says not to store acids on metal shelving. The all-PP cabinets on this page have a plastic (polypropylene) body; the steel cabinets have a PP liner.
Sources: Cornell University EHS, Chemical Segregation FAQ; Caltech, Chemical Storage Guide; Emory University, Chemical Safety Spotlight – Corrosives and Flammables; University of Nebraska Omaha, Chemical Storage and Segregation Fact Sheet; Justrite, 3 Tips for Selecting a Corrosive Storage Cabinet.
FAQ
Can acids and bases go in the same cabinet? Keep them apart. Cornell states that acids and bases should always be stored separately; Caltech adds that without a second cabinet, inorganic acids and bases should at least be on different shelves, each with a spill tray.
Can nitric acid be stored with other acids? Nitric acid is an oxidizing acid. Cornell and Caltech both state that oxidizing acids must be separated from other acids; Caltech adds that inorganic acids, organic acids and oxidizing acids should all be kept apart from one another.
Can flammable solvents go in a chemical cabinet? Store flammable liquids in a flammable safety cabinet. Conversely, don’t put acids in a flammable cabinet: Emory notes that this damages the cabinet and containers, and the UNO compatibility chart lists flammable liquids and acids as incompatible. Organic acids such as acetic acid are the exception and can be stored separately.
When you request a quote, please tell us: type, capacity and quantity; for steel cabinets, also the color.
Email us for a quote: [email protected]