What can you do with hydrofluoric acid?

Where hydrogen fluoride is found and how it is used

• Hydrogen fluoride is used to make refrigerants, herbicides, pharmaceuticals, high-octane gasoline, aluminum, plastics, electrical components, and fluorescent light bulbs.
• Hydrogen fluoride is also used for etching glass and metal.

Does hydrofluoric acid dissolve everything?

Hydrofluoric acid won’t eat through plastic. It will, however, dissolve metal, rock, glass, ceramic. Hydrofluoric acid is a highly corrosive acid, capable of dissolving many materials, especially oxides.

Can you buy hydrofluoric acid?

You can buy Hydrofluoric Acid online, locally near you at a distribution center (US only) or you can call 512-668-9918 to order your chemicals by phone. High purity Hydrofluoric Acid is in stock and is ready to be shipped to your home, laboratory or business.

What can you not mix with hydrofluoric acid?

HF reacts with many materials therefore avoid contact with glass, concrete, metals, water, other acids, oxidizers, reducers, alkalis, combustibles, organics and ceramics.

Can hydrofluoric acid dissolve a human?

Hydrofluoric acid is very nasty stuff, but it isn’t a strong acid. Even when dilute it will etch glass and ceramics, but it won’t dissolve or burn flesh.

Can hydrofluoric acid explode?

EXPLOSION HAZARDS: Hydrogen fluoride/hydrofluoric acid forms explosive gases when mixed with methanesulfonic acid, or polymerizing cyanogens. Containers may explode when heated or if contaminated with water. Ruptured cylinders may rocket.

Does acid destroy DNA?

DNA degrades rapidly in low pH and high heat, both of which are produced in a body decomposed by sulfuric acid.

Does hydrofluoric acid expire?

HF should not be stored in steel cylinders for more than 2 years due to potential over-pressurization from hydrogen gas formation. “Many fluoride-containing chemicals (e.g. ammonium fluoride, sodium fluoride, sulfur tetrafluoride, and ammonium bi-fluoride) may react with acid or water to produce HF.

Does HF dissolve bone?

Hydrofluoric acid, or HF, is a relatively strong acid (but it is not as strong as acids like HCl or HBr). This means that it relatively dissociates; it can “donate” a proton (H+) and thus dissolve the bone similar to osteoclast process.

How is hydrofluoric acid made?

Hydrofluoric acid (HF) is produced by the reaction of concentrated sulfuric acid with fluorspar (calcium fluoride): CaF2+H2SO4→2HF+CaSO4. The reaction can take place in two stages.

Is it safe to use hydrofluoric acid?

Safe Use of Hydrofluoric Acid. Hydrofluoric acid (HF) has a number of physical, chemical, and toxicological properties that make it especially hazardous to handle. Hydrofluoric acid is a clear, colorless, and highly corrosive liquid.

What is hydrofluoric acid made of?

Hydrofluoric acid. A solution of hydrogen fluoride in water. It is a colorless fuming liquid which can cause painful burns. Hydrogen fluoride, anhydrous appears as a colorless fuming liquid boiling at 67°F. Shipped as a liquid confined under its own vapor pressure. Corrosive to metals and tissue.

What training do you need to use hydrofluoric acid?

Prior to using HF, there must be an approved Work Activity that includes the “Hydrofluoric Acid” hazard/controls. All personnel handling HF must be assigned to this Work Activity. A specific training course EHS0386 “HF First Aid Awareness” is also required.

What is hydrogen fluoride?

It is usually shipped in steel cylinders as a compressed gas. Hydrogen fluoride readily dissolves in water to form colorless hydrofluoric acid solutions; dilute solutions are visibly indistinguishable from water. Hydrofluoric acid. A solution of hydrogen fluoride in water.