Product Description
Hydrochloric acid also known as muriatic acid or spirits of salt is a strong corrosive and colorless chemical solution of hydrogen chloride in water HCl It is a widely used industrial and laboratory reagent and it is also a component of gastric acid in animal digestive systems
Key Properties
Chemical Formula HCl
Classification Strong mineral acid
Appearance Colorless with a pungent distinctive odor
Molar mass 3646 gmol
Corrosivity Highly corrosive and can cause severe damage to skin eyes and mucous membranes
Acidity Strong acid with a pH of less than 1 for concentrated solutions
Solubility Highly soluble in water
Naturally Occurring Found in gastric acid in the stomachs of many animals
Major Uses
Industrial Processes Used in the production of chlorides fertilizers dyes in electroplating and in the photographic textile and rubber industries
Laboratory Reagent Widely used as a reagent in chemical laboratories
Pickling Metal Used to remove rust and scale from metal surfaces before further processing
Water Treatment Used in some water treatment processes
Digestion Naturally present in the stomach to aid in digestion
Safety Precautions
Corrosive Must be handled with extreme care due to its corrosive nature
Avoid Contact Direct contact with skin eyes and mucous membranes should be avoided
Ventilation Adequate ventilation is necessary when working with hydrochloric acid especially in enclosed spaces
First Aid In case of contact flush affected areas with copious amounts of water for an extended period