CAS 7647-01-0 · Strong Mineral Acid
Hydrochloric Acid
Muriatic Acid · HCl (aq) · MW 36.46 g/mol
One of the most important industrial mineral acids — a solution of hydrogen chloride gas in water. HCl's strong acidity, non-oxidizing nature, and chloride chemistry make it the acid of choice for steel pickling, oil well stimulation, pH control, and metal chloride production. Texas-Chem supplies HCl in 20° and 22° Baumé grades in drums, totes, and bulk.
Formula
HCl (aq)
Flash Point
Non-flammable
pH (1%)
<1.0
Pack Sizes
Drums · Totes · Bulk
Structural Formula
Strong acid — fully dissociates in water to H⁺ and Cl⁻ ions
Safety & Regulatory
- NFPA Health
- 3 — Serious hazard
- NFPA Flammability
- 0 — Non-flammable
- NFPA Reactivity
- 1 — Slight hazard
- OSHA PEL (Ceiling)
- 5 ppm
- ACGIH TLV-Ceiling
- 2 ppm
- DOT Hazard Class
- 8 — Corrosive
- UN Number
- UN 1789
- Reactivity
- Reacts with metals, bases, oxidizers
Highly corrosive — use full acid PPE including face shield. Fumes are toxic. SDS available upon request.
Grades & Packaging
Available Grades
Pack Sizes
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Molecular Formula | HCl (aq) |
| Molecular Weight | 36.46 g/mol (HCl) |
| CAS Number | 7647-01-0 |
| Boiling Point | 110 °C at 20.2% / 48 °C at 38% |
| Melting Point | −27.3 °C (20.2% solution) |
| Flash Point | Non-flammable |
| Density | 1.19 g/cm³ (37% solution) |
| Vapor Pressure | 16 kPa at 20 °C (37%) |
| Solubility | Fully miscible with water |
| pH (1% solution) | <1.0 |
| Odor | Pungent, suffocating |
| Auto-ignition Temp. | Non-flammable |
Industrial Applications
Steel Pickling
The dominant acid for pickling (descaling) carbon steel before galvanizing, plating, and rolling operations. HCl dissolves iron oxides rapidly without significant base metal attack when properly inhibited.
Oil & Gas Well Stimulation
Acidizing agent for carbonate and sandstone formations — HCl dissolves calcium carbonate to create flow channels (wormholes) that increase well productivity. Used in matrix acidizing and acid fracturing.
pH Control & Neutralization
Widely used for pH adjustment in water treatment, chemical processing, and food production. Strong acid with predictable neutralization chemistry and no residual anion concerns in many applications.
Chlorine Compounds Production
Feedstock for producing ferric chloride, polyaluminum chloride, and other metal chlorides used in water treatment, electronics, and chemical synthesis.
Food Processing (Food Grade)
Acidulant and pH adjuster in food processing — used in corn syrup production, gelatin manufacture, and as a processing aid. Food-grade HCl must meet FCC specifications.
Regeneration of Ion Exchange Resins
Regenerant for cation exchange resins in water softening and demineralization systems. HCl displaces calcium, magnesium, and other cations, restoring resin capacity.
Why Source HCl from Texas-Chem?
- 35+ years supplying industrial acids to Texas oil & gas and manufacturing customers
- 20° and 22° Baumé grades for steel pickling and well acidizing
- Drums, totes, and bulk tanker delivery with proper corrosive placarding
- Competitive pricing backed by top-tier producer relationships
- Technical support and SDS documentation with every order
- Same-day quotes for standard quantities