Sulfuric acid

Sulfuric acid (CAS 7664-93-9), also known historically as oil of vitriol and approved as E513 in food-grade applications, is one of the most produced industrial chemicals globally.

Where is Sulfuric acid used?

• Fertilizer production: converts phosphate rock into superphosphate and reacts with ammonia to produce ammonium sulfate
• Petroleum refining: alkylates hydrocarbons and removes impurities from fuels and lubricants
• Metal processing and mining: ore leaching and pickling steel surfaces
• Electroplating baths: precise acid concentration determines process yield
• Water treatment: neutralizes alkaline effluents
• It functions as a strong mineral acid for acidification, catalysis, or chemical synthesis.
• Lead-acid batteries, the type commonly used in motor vehicles.
• Dehydrating agent for drying gases and removing water from organic reaction mixtures.
• In cleaning products, aids detergent manufacturing through organic sulfonation.

Typical specification

• Concentrated sulfuric acid typically contains between 93 and 98% sulfuric acid, with the remainder being water.
• Fuming sulfuric acid, also called oleum, is a solution of 10 to 80% sulfur trioxide in anhydrous sulfuric acid.
• Offered in a 98% concentration form.
• Also available as aqueous solutions at various concentrations.

Regulatory status

• Due to regulations on explosive precursors, the sale of sulfuric acid above 14% concentration is regulated.

Storage, packaging and handling

• Reacts violently with water, causing spattering, and reacts with metals to produce highly flammable hydrogen gas.
• Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, heat, ignition sources, and incompatible materials; avoid bulk indoor storage.
• Store in closed, corrosion-resistant containers such as HDPE drums, lined steel, or borosilicate glass.
• Supplied in drums (bidon).

Frequently asked questions about Sulfuric acid

What is the correct procedure for diluting sulfuric acid?

When diluting sulfuric acid, always pour the acid into water, never water into acid, to avoid a more aggressive reaction.

Which plastics are suitable for handling sulfuric acid?

Sulfuric acid resistance of plastics depends on the type: polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) can resist it, while PVC and similar plastics degrade over time on contact.

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