Sulfamic acid

Sulfamic acid (CAS 5329-14-6), also known as sulphamic acid or sulfaminic acid, is a dry, stable inorganic acid used in industrial cleaning, descaling, and pH control.

Where is Sulfamic acid used?

• Industrial and institutional cleaning: active descaling agent in boiler cleaners, heat exchanger treatments, and hard surface descalers, dissolving calcium and iron deposits
• Water treatment: pH control and neutralization of excess chlorine in municipal and process water systems
• Textile and leather processing: dye-bath acidifier and pH buffer
• Pulp and paper: bleach stabilizer and pH regulator during chemical pulping and brightening stages
• It handles and doses easily in solid form without the fuming hazards of hydrochloric acid.
• Stabilizes chlorine in swimming pools and cooling towers.
• The deprotonated form (sulfamate) is a common counterion for nickel(II) in electroplating.
• Used for metal pickling.
• In oil and gas drilling, lowers the pH of used extraction fluids and compounds before disposal.
• Used in industrial cleaning of dairy and brewery equipment.

Good to know: Unlike liquid mineral acids, it handles and doses easily in solid form.

Formulation notes

• Reacts with strong bases and oxidizing agents; should not be mixed with oxidizers or alkaline products.
• For boiler systems and cooling towers, use a 10% to 15% circulating solution, mixing 100 g to 150 g per liter of water.
• Should not be used on galvanized materials, zinc, or aluminum.
• Does not remove silica or calcium phosphate scales.

Typical specification

• Moderately soluble in water.
• Decomposes at about 205°C.
• Assay by titration is 99.3–100.3% on a dried basis.
• Heavy metals content is not more than 0.001% as Pb.
• Supplied in crystalline form of high purity with batch quality control and traceability for industrial and laboratory uses.

Regulatory status

• Assigned UN number UN2967 for transport of dangerous goods.
• Has EU CLP index number 016-026-00-0.
• Is a REACH registered substance listed in the ECHA chemicals database.
• Meets the ACS reagent specification.

Storage, packaging and handling

• Should be stored in well-closed containers in a cool, dry place away from moisture and heat sources.
• Aqueous solutions are stable at room temperature but undergo rapid hydrolysis as temperature rises.
• Must not be transported with food and feed.

Frequently asked questions about Sulfamic acid

Is sulfamic acid hygroscopic or volatile?

It is not hygroscopic, not volatile and very stable, with properties unchanged over years.

Are sulfamic acid salts soluble in water?

All salts of sulfamic acid, including barium, lead and calcium salts, are very soluble in water.

Technical content is compiled and updated by the SoleChem product team from public technical sources; the certificate of analysis (COA) governs product-specific specifications.