Main-Product

Product: Hydrofluoric Acid

Product Categories, Description and Properties

Segment

Chemicals

Main-Family

Inorganics

Sub-Family

Mineral Acids

Description

Hydrofluoric Acid is a Solution of Hydrogen Fluoride (HF) in Water. Solutions of HF are colourless, acidic and highly corrosive. It is used to make most Fluorine-containing Compounds; examples include the commonly used pharmaceutical antidepressant Medication Fluoxetine (Prozac) and the Material PTFE (Teflon). Elemental Fluorine is produced from it. It is commonly used to etch Glass and Silicon Wafers.

Hydrofluoric Acid is mainly produced by Treatment of the Mineral Fluorite, CaF₂, with Concentrated Sulfuric Acid at approximately 265°C.

CaF₂ + H₂SO₄ → 2 HF + CaSO₄

The Acid is also a By-Product of the Production of Phosphoric Acid from Apatite and Fluoroapatite. Digestion of the Mineral with Sulfuric Acid at elevated temperatures releases a mixture of Gases, including Hydrogen Fluoride, which may be recovered.

Because of its high reactivity toward Glass, Hydrofluoric Acid is stored in Fluorinated Plastic (often PTFE) Containers.^[1]

1. Hydrofluoric Acid, Wikipedia

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