- What it is. This hydrochloric acid is the concentrated 37% ACS reagent grade, assaying 36.5 to 38.0% hydrogen chloride in water. It is offered in 500 mL, 1 gallon, and 55-gallon drum sizes for laboratory, QC, and production use.
- What ACS grade guarantees. ACS reagent hydrochloric acid meets strict impurity limits: color no darker than 10 APHA, residue after ignition of 0.0005% or less, and trace limits for sulfate, sulfite, bromide, free chlorine, ammonium, iron, heavy metals, and arsenic. Those limits make it suitable for trace analysis and standard preparation.
- How concentrated it is. At 36.5 to 38.0% and a density of about 1.18 to 1.19 g/mL, concentrated hydrochloric acid is roughly 12 M (calculated). It releases hydrogen chloride vapor that forms visible fumes in moist air.
- Chemistry in brief. Hydrogen chloride dissociates completely in water, making hydrochloric acid one of the strongest common acids. It dissolves carbonates, releasing carbon dioxide; reacts with many metals to release hydrogen; and forms soluble chloride salts with most metals.
- Three sizes for every scale. The 500 mL size (ZH0610-500) suits analytical benches and teaching labs, the 1 gallon size (ZH0610-128) suits QC and research labs that use acid regularly, and the 55 gallon drum (ZH0601-55) supplies production and high-volume users with one consistent lot.
- Preparing standard dilutions. Concentrated acid is the starting point for volumetric solutions: about 8.3 mL diluted to 1 L gives roughly 0.1 N, and about 83 mL gives roughly 1 N (calculated). Always add acid to water, cool, and standardize the result. Ready-made standards include Lab Pro's Hydrochloric Acid 0.1 N (0.1 M), 1 Gallon, and Hydrochloric Acid 1.0 N (1 Quart, 1 Gallon).
- Where it is used. Concentrated hydrochloric acid is used for sample digestion and trace-metal analysis, preparing standard acids, pH adjustment, metal pickling and etching, cleaning and descaling, ion exchange regeneration, and chemical synthesis. Industrially, it is used in steel pickling, food processing, and chloride production.
- Handling at a glance. Concentrated hydrochloric acid causes severe burns and releases corrosive fumes. Use open containers only in a fume hood; keep them tightly closed, and store them in a ventilated corrosives cabinet away from bases, oxidizers, and metals.
Technical Specifications
| Chemical Name | Hydrochloric acid, aqueous solution |
| CAS Numbers | 7647-01-0 (hydrogen chloride); 7732-18-5 (water) |
| EC Number (HCl) | 231-595-7 |
| Synonyms | Hydrogen chloride solution, muriatic acid, spirits of salt |
| Formula (active) | HCl |
| Molecular Weight (active) | 36.46 g/mol |
| Grade | ACS reagent |
| Assay | 36.5 to 38.0% HCl |
| Density | About 1.18 to 1.19 g/mL |
| Approximate Molarity | About 12 M (calculated) |
| Color (APHA) | 10 max |
| Residue after Ignition | 0.0005% max |
| Bromide | 0.005% max |
| Sulfate | 0.0001% max |
| Sulfite | 0.0001% max |
| Free Chlorine | 0.0001% max |
| Ammonium | 0.0003% max |
| Iron | 0.00002% max |
| Heavy Metals | 0.0001% max |
| Arsenic | 0.000001% max |
| Hazard Statements | H290, H314, H335 |
| DOT | UN1789, Hydrochloric acid, Class 8, PG II |
| Exposure Limit | OSHA PEL and NIOSH REL: 5 ppm ceiling (hydrogen chloride) |
| Package Sizes | 500 mL; 1 gallon; 55 gallon drum |
Available Variants
- ZH0610-500 (HC9040-6500): 500 mL for analytical benches and teaching labs.
- ZH0610-128 (HC9040-38): 1 gallon for QC and research labs.
- ZH0601-55 (HC9040-55): 55-gallon drum for production and high-volume users.
Applications / Common Uses
- Trace-metal digestion: Digests samples with low impurity background.
- Standard acid preparation: Prepares 0.1 N and 1 N HCl.
- Metal pickling and etching: Removes oxides and scale.
- pH adjustment: Acidifies process and lab solutions.
- Chemical synthesis: Supplies HCl for chloride salts and reactions.
Storage, Handling & Shipping
Caution: This hydrochloric acid causes severe skin burns and eye damage, releases irritating hydrogen chloride fumes, and is corrosive to metals. Handle only in a fume hood with chemical splash goggles, a face shield, and acid-resistant gloves, and keep a neutralizing spill kit nearby.
Store tightly closed in a cool, well-ventilated corrosives cabinet, away from bases, oxidizers, metals, and cyanide or sulfide salts, which release toxic gases with acid. Concentrated hydrochloric acid releases hydrogen chloride fumes, so open containers in a fume hood and keep them closed when not dispensing. When diluting, always add acid slowly to water, never water to acid.
- Incompatible materials: Bases, oxidizers (including bleach and permanganate), reactive metals, cyanides, and sulfides.
- Exposure limit (hydrogen chloride): OSHA PEL and NIOSH REL: 5 ppm ceiling.
- Spill response: Ventilate, contain, and neutralize with sodium bicarbonate or an acid spill kit before cleanup.
- First aid: Skin or eyes: flush with water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical attention. Inhalation: move to fresh air.
Related Categories & Services
- Shop Acids for related products in this category.
- Explore ACS Grade Laboratory Chemicals and Inorganic Chemicals.
- Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) Program: Lab Pro can stock, track, and replenish this item on site so it never runs out. Contact info@labproinc.com or 888-452-2776 to set up a VMI assessment.
