Ammonium hydroxide
Description
Ammonium hydroxide (CAS 1336-21-6), also sold as ammonia water and designated E527 in food-grade applications, is an aqueous solution of ammonia used industrially as an alkaline reagent and pH control agent.
It functions across cleaning, processing, and treatment operations where a fast-acting, readily soluble base is required. In water treatment, it adjusts pH and supports chloramine disinfection in municipal systems.
Textile, leather, and paper processing rely on it to neutralize acids, swell fibers, and condition pulp during wet processing stages. Industrial and household cleaning formulations use it to cut through grease and protein-based soils.
In rubber compounding, it acts as a stabilizer for latex dispersions, preventing premature coagulation during transport and storage. This ensures the material remains stable during long-term industrial transport and storage.
Ammonium hydroxide is supplied as an aqueous solution, with concentration typically ranging from 25% to 30% ammonia by weight for industrial supply. This high concentration allows for efficient dilution in various processes.
Food-grade material conforming to E527 specifications is available for permitted food processing applications. Technical-grade solutions are the standard for water treatment, cleaning, and industrial processing uses.
Physical Properties
| Melting Point | -77°C |
| Boiling Point | 38 °C |
| Density | ~0.90 g/cm³ (approx) @ Temp: 25 °C |
| Appearance | Ammonium Hydroxide is a colorless to milkywhite solution of ammonia, with a strong, irritating odor. |
| Color | Colorless |
| Odor | Strong pungent ammonia odor detectable at 17 ppm |
| Form | Liquid, Single Sub-Boiling Quartz Distillation |
| Water Solubility | Miscible with water. |
| Vapor Pressure | 115 mmHg at 20 °C for 29% solution |
| pH | 10.09(1 mM solution);10.61(10 mM solution);11.12(100 mM solution); |
Safety & Handling (Learn More)
Trade & Regulatory
| HS Code | 28142000 |
| UN Number | 2672 |
| ADR Class | 8 |
| Packing Group | III |
| WGK (Germany) | 2 |
Documentation
Other Names
Ammonia water|Ammonia aqueous|Ammonia, aqua|Household ammonia|Ammonia, monohydrate|Ammonium hydroxide ((NH4)(OH))|Aqua ammonia|E527
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