CAS 7664-93-9 · World's Most Produced Industrial Chemical
Sulfuric Acid
H₂SO₄ · MW 98.08 g/mol · Oil of Vitriol
The world's most produced industrial chemical by volume — a measure of its central role in the global economy. Sulfuric acid's combination of strong acidity, dehydrating power, and oxidizing properties (in concentrated form) makes it indispensable across fertilizers, steel, batteries, petroleum, and chemical manufacturing. Texas-Chem supplies H₂SO₄ in 93%, 98%, battery, and reagent grades.
Formula
H₂SO₄
Boiling Point
337 °C (98%)
pH (1%)
<1.0
Pack Sizes
Drums · Totes · Bulk
Structural Formula
Diprotic strong acid — two ionizable protons; concentrated form is a powerful dehydrating agent
Safety & Regulatory
- NFPA Health
- 4 — Severe hazard
- NFPA Flammability
- 0 — Non-flammable
- NFPA Reactivity
- 2 — Moderate hazard
- OSHA PEL (TWA)
- 1 mg/m³
- ACGIH TLV-TWA
- 0.2 mg/m³ (thoracic)
- DOT Hazard Class
- 8 — Corrosive
- UN Number
- UN 1830 (conc.) / UN 1832 (spent)
- Reactivity
- Violent reaction with water; reacts with metals
Extremely corrosive — causes severe burns on contact. Always add acid to water, never water to acid. Full PPE required. SDS available upon request.
Grades & Packaging
Available Grades
Pack Sizes
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Molecular Formula | H₂SO₄ |
| Molecular Weight | 98.08 g/mol |
| CAS Number | 7664-93-9 |
| Boiling Point | 337 °C (98% solution) |
| Melting Point | 10.4 °C (pure) |
| Flash Point | Non-flammable |
| Density | 1.84 g/cm³ (98% solution) |
| Vapor Pressure | <0.001 kPa at 20 °C |
| Solubility | Miscible with water (highly exothermic) |
| pH (1% solution) | <1.0 |
| Viscosity | 26.7 mPa·s at 20 °C (98%) |
| Auto-ignition Temp. | Non-flammable |
Industrial Applications
Fertilizer Production
Over 60% of global sulfuric acid production is used to make phosphate fertilizers — sulfuric acid reacts with phosphate rock to produce superphosphate and phosphoric acid. The single largest use of any industrial chemical.
Lead-Acid Battery Electrolyte
Battery-grade sulfuric acid (diluted to ~37%) is the electrolyte in lead-acid batteries for automotive, industrial, and backup power applications. Purity is critical — trace metals cause premature battery failure.
Steel Pickling
Descaling agent for removing iron oxide scale from hot-rolled steel before cold rolling, galvanizing, and coating. Sulfuric acid pickling is used for carbon steel; HCl is preferred for high-alloy steels.
Chemical Synthesis
Reagent and catalyst in the production of explosives (nitration), detergents (sulfonation), pharmaceuticals, dyes, and synthetic fibers. Oleum (fuming H₂SO₄) is used for sulfonation reactions.
Petroleum Refining
Catalyst in alkylation units that produce high-octane gasoline blending components. Sulfuric acid alkylation combines isobutane with light olefins to produce isooctane.
Wastewater Treatment
pH adjustment agent for neutralizing alkaline wastewater streams in industrial facilities. Sulfuric acid is cost-effective for large-volume pH correction in treatment plants.
Why Source Sulfuric Acid from Texas-Chem?
- 35+ years supplying industrial acids to Texas manufacturers
- 93%, 98%, battery, and reagent grades available
- 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