Commercially, hydrofluoric acid in an anhydrous state can be purchased, as well as aqueous solutions of different concentrations. At higher concentrations, HF is a colorless gas or smoky liquid. HF can be referred to as hydrogen fluoride (UN 1052), hydrofluoric acid (UN 1790), or hydrofluoric acid. The identification number is CAS number 7664-39-3, UN: 1052 or RTECS: MW7875000. The main manufacturers/importers are DuPont (United States), Allied Forces (United States), and Honeywell (United States).
Its physical properties are:
Molecular weight: 10
Boiling point: Gas with a temperature above 19 ° C
Automatic ignition: not relevant
Steam pressure: 150mm (70% solution, 26.7 ℃); 70mm (70% solution, 20.0 ° C)
Solubility: Aqueous solution to 70%
Explosive limit: Not applicable – not flammable (if the container is in fire conditions and there is a BLEVE hazard)
Ship name: Anhydrous hydrogen fluoride (1052), hydrofluoric acid, strength not exceeding 60% (1790)
Identification numbers: 1052 (anhydrous hydrogen fluoride) (Guide 125), 1790 (hydrofluoric acid) (Guide 157)
Hazard level or classification: 8 (1052)
Supplementary hazard level or classification: 6.1, inhalation hazard (1790)
Label: Corrosive, Toxic (Toxic) (1052), Corrosive, Toxic (Toxic), Inhalation Hazard (1790)
Hydrogen fluoride is used in solution form for glass and metal etching, industrial and household cleaning and rust removal agents, and in the manufacturing of electronic products. Full strength, used to manufacture high octane fuel in refineries. The other main industrial uses of hydrogen fluoride include the synthesis of fluorocarbon compounds (such as Freon and Teflon) and the production of aluminum fluoride and synthetic cryolite for aluminum smelting. It is also used to extract uranium for nuclear fuel, manufacture various organic chemicals, produce stainless steel, and various other applications, such as:
Propellants and solvents
Pesticide and fertilizer production
Manufacturing and reduction of chlorides
Brewery controlled fermentation
Used in the textile industry to remove stains
Leather industry for leather making
Drug and dye production
Semiconductor manufacturing.
The current household uses include:
Rust remover
Aluminum electroplating
Heavy duty cleaning agents.
The hazards of hydrofluoric acid
Although hydrogen fluoride is considered a weak acid, it is one of the most dangerous inorganic acids known. Due to the unique properties of this acid, as long as 1% of the body surface area (BSA), or approximately 25 square inches (about the size of the palm), can cause fatal burns.
