does bitumen or cutbacks ract with sodium siliacte and how can i clean
sodium silicate from inside steel drums ( it is thike a white powder on drum walls )

Bitumen or Cutbacks does not react with Sodium Silicate. Hydroflouric
acid (HF) can be used for cleaning sodium silicate from inside steel
drum.


Regards,
Rexy.

rexy, please be aware that hf is very dangerous for direct contact
with skin, eyes, etcetera.

Sodium silicate should be soluble in hot water, especially with some
alkalinity, such as a pound of NaOH in a drum of water (caution!).
However, if the silicate has reacted with divalent cations such as
Calcium from tap water, or been acidified or dried, it may not easily
re-dissolve. A sequestrant such as EDTA may help, also wetting agents
such as a bit of dish detergent. I believe Spic-and-Span contains
EDTA, try a solution of this or something similar. It should have
emulsifiers which will also help remove oils, use it hot enough to
melt any bitumen.