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What it is. This sulfuric acid is a 50% (w/w) aqueous solution, supplied in a 1-gallon size. It is a dense, highly corrosive acid used for processing, electrolyte preparation, cleaning, and preparing laboratory reagents.
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What 50% (w/w) means. Every 100 g of solution contains 50 g of sulfuric acid. With a specific gravity of about 1.39 in comparable products, that equals roughly 695 g of H2SO4 per liter, about 7.1 M or 14.2 N (calculated).
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w/w versus v/v. A 50% (w/w) solution is weaker than a 50% (v/v) solution because concentrated acid is much denser than water. A 50% (v/v) mix is closer to 9 M, while 50% (w/w) is about 7 M. Check which basis your method specifies.
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Shipping category. Sulfuric acid at 51% or less falls under the UN2796 shipping description, while stronger acid ships as UN1830. Comparable 50% (w/w) products ship as UN2796, Class 8, Packing Group II.
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Industrial uses. Fifty-percent sulfuric acid is used for pH control and neutralization, metal pickling and cleaning, preparing battery and plating electrolytes, regenerating ion exchange resins, and as a process acid where concentrated acid is unnecessary.
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Laboratory uses. In the lab, it serves as a stock for preparing dilute sulfuric acid, an acid for digestions and oxidations, and a reagent in methods that specify 50% (w/w) acid.
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Heat of dilution. Diluting 50% sulfuric acid still releases significant heat. Add it slowly to cold water with stirring, never water to acid, and cool before adjusting the final volume.
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Related products. For the volume-based equivalent, see Lab Pro's Sulfuric Acid 50% (v/v) Solution, 1 Gallon. For stronger acid, see Sulfuric Acid 70% (w/w) Solution, 1 Gallon.
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Corrosion behavior. Fifty-percent sulfuric acid attacks steel and many metals faster than concentrated acid, which passivates steel. Use polyethylene, polypropylene, PTFE, or other acid-rated materials for storage and transfer equipment.
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Handling at a glance. Wear chemical splash goggles, a face shield, acid-resistant gloves, and an apron. Store it in a corrosives cabinet on secondary containment, away from bases, metals, and organic materials.
Technical Specifications
| Chemical Name |
Sulfuric acid, aqueous solution |
| CAS Numbers |
7664-93-9 (sulfuric acid); 7732-18-5 (water) |
| EC Number (H2SO4) |
231-639-5 |
| Synonyms |
Oil of vitriol (concentrated), battery acid (dilute), H2SO4 solution |
| Formula (active) |
H2SO4 |
| Molecular Weight (active) |
98.08 g/mol |
| Equivalent Weight |
49.04 (diprotic; normal = 2 x molar) |
| Concentration |
50% (w/w) |
| Specific Gravity (comparable products) |
About 1.39 |
| Approximate Molarity |
About 7.1 M (about 14.2 N), calculated |
| H2SO4 per Liter |
About 695 g (calculated) |
| Appearance |
Clear, colorless liquid |
| Hazard Profile |
Causes severe skin burns and eye damage; corrosive to metals |
| DOT (comparable products) |
UN2796, Sulfuric acid, with not more than 51 percent acid, Class 8, PG II |
| Exposure Limit (mist) |
OSHA PEL and NIOSH REL: 1 mg/m³ TWA |
| Package Size |
1 gallon |
Applications / Common Uses
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pH control: Neutralizes alkaline process streams.
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Metal pickling: Removes oxide scale from steel.
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Electrolyte preparation: Prepares battery and plating electrolytes.
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Ion exchange regeneration: Regenerates cation exchange resins.
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Stock dilutions: Prepares dilute sulfuric acid.
Storage, Handling & Shipping
Caution: This sulfuric acid causes severe skin burns and eye damage, reacts violently with water, and corrodes metals. Always add acid slowly to water, never water to acid. Wear chemical splash goggles, a face shield, acid-resistant gloves, and an apron, and work in a fume hood.
Store tightly closed in a corrosives cabinet away from bases, reactive metals, organic materials, and water-reactive substances. When diluting, always add acid slowly to water, never water to acid, since dilution releases heat.
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Incompatible materials: Bases, reactive metals (release hydrogen), organic materials, oxidizers and reducers, and cyanides or sulfides.
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Exposure limit (sulfuric acid mist): OSHA PEL and NIOSH REL: 1 mg/m³ TWA.
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Spill response: Contain and neutralize with sodium bicarbonate or an acid spill kit, then rinse with water.
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First aid: Skin or eyes: flush with water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical attention.
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GHS signal word: Danger or Warning depending on concentration.
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DOT / shipping: UN2796, Sulfuric acid, Class 8.
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