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. Always consult the current Safety Data Sheet before handling.
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What grades of hydrochloric acid are available for industrial use in Texas?▾
Chemical & Filtration Products of Texas supplies hydrochloric acid (muriatic acid) in Industrial-grade and ACS-grade formulations. Industrial-grade HCl is used in steel pickling, pH adjustment, oil well acidizing, chemical synthesis, and food-grade equipment cleaning. ACS-grade HCl is used in laboratory and analytical applications requiring high-purity reagent specifications. Every order ships with full SDS documentation and lot traceability. Contact us at 855-TEX-CHEM for current grade availability and pricing.
What concentration of hydrochloric acid is standard for industrial steel pickling?▾
Industrial steel pickling typically uses 18% to 22% hydrochloric acid (18-22 degrees Baumé) to remove mill scale and surface oxides from steel before galvanizing, plating, or further processing. Some operations use concentrations up to 31-32% (concentrated HCl) and dilute on-site to the working concentration. We supply hydrochloric acid at various concentrations for steel processing and pickling operations across Texas. Contact us at 855-TEX-CHEM to confirm the right concentration and volume for your operation.
Is hydrochloric acid used in oil well acidizing in the Texas Permian Basin?▾
Yes. Hydrochloric acid is extensively used in oil and gas well acidizing treatments in the Permian Basin and across Texas to dissolve carbonate formations, remove wellbore damage, and improve permeability and production rates. Acidizing typically uses 15% HCl (regular strength) or blends with organic acids for deeper penetration. We supply HCl for oilfield operations with full SDS documentation and lot traceability. Contact us at 855-TEX-CHEM for current pricing and tanker delivery options.
Can I order bulk hydrochloric acid delivered to my Texas industrial facility?▾
Yes. We deliver hydrochloric acid in quantities from single drums through full bulk tanker loads to industrial facilities across Texas, including Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin, and the Permian Basin. Bulk HCl delivery requires appropriate unloading equipment and secondary containment — we can advise on delivery logistics before your first order. Contact us at 855-TEX-CHEM or [email protected] to discuss your volume and delivery requirements.
What are the compliance and safety documentation requirements for receiving HCl at an industrial facility?▾
Hydrochloric acid is a hazardous material (UN 1789) requiring OSHA HazCom compliance, proper secondary containment, emergency response planning, and current SDS documentation on-site. Facilities above threshold quantities may be subject to EPA RMP or OSHA PSM programs. Chemical & Filtration Products of Texas provides a current SDS and lot traceability documentation with every shipment to support your compliance program. Contact us at 855-TEX-CHEM before your first order to discuss documentation requirements.
What is the difference between hydrochloric acid and muriatic acid?▾
Hydrochloric acid and muriatic acid are the same chemical compound (HCl in water), but the term "muriatic acid" typically refers to a lower-purity technical or industrial-grade product that may contain small amounts of iron, sulfuric acid, or other impurities. "Hydrochloric acid" is the broader term used across all grades from industrial to ACS reagent. For most industrial manufacturing, blending, and water treatment applications, the specifications are the same. We supply both industrial HCl and ACS-grade with documentation confirming the exact specification. Contact us at 855-TEX-CHEM.
Hydrochloric Acid vs. Alternatives
Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is a strong mineral acid used across metal treatment, oil & gas, and water treatment. Here's how it compares.
| Attribute | Hydrochloric Acid | Sulfuric Acid | Phosphoric Acid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acid Strength | Strong — fully dissociates | Strong — fully dissociates | Moderate — partially dissociates |
| Concentration Available | 31–37% (muriatic), 20%, 10% | 93–98%, 66°Bé, 50% | 85%, 75%, food-grade |
| Primary Use | Steel pickling, oil well acidizing, pH control | Fertilizers, metal treatment, batteries | Fertilizers, food, metal treatment |
| Chloride Contamination Risk | Yes — can cause stress corrosion cracking | No chloride risk | No chloride risk |
| Fume Hazard | High — HCl fumes at high concentration | Low fume at ambient temp | Very low fume |
Industries We Supply Hydrochloric Acid To
Steel & Metal Processing
HCl is the primary pickling acid for removing mill scale and rust from steel coils, wire, and structural shapes before galvanizing or coating.
Hydrochloric Acid supply in Houston, TXOil & Gas Well Stimulation
Hydrochloric acid is injected into carbonate formations to dissolve rock and increase permeability in matrix acidizing and acid fracturing operations.
Hydrochloric Acid supply in Midland, TXWater Treatment
Used for pH adjustment, regeneration of ion exchange resins, and neutralization in industrial water treatment and municipal systems.
Hydrochloric Acid supply in San Antonio, TXFood Processing
Food-grade HCl used for pH adjustment, starch hydrolysis, and production of corn syrup and gelatin in food manufacturing.
Hydrochloric Acid supply in Dallas, TX