What is hydrofluoric acid?

Hydrofluoric acid is a chemical compound

In the chemistry the production of hydrofluoric acid is common because the compound is used in various industrial manufacturing processes. Not only the hydrofluoric acid itself, but also the by-products resulting from its manufacture can be used.

• The chemical compound does not occur in nature and has to be created artificially. For this purpose, hydrogen fluoride should always be stored in a glass or a container made of stainless steel or plastic. Since hydrofluoric acid is highly corrosive, it can decompose other substances and thus be released. This can be particularly dangerous if the chemical compound comes into contact with the skin.
• Hydrofluoric acid is an aqueous solution based on hydrogen fluoride. The corresponding chemical formula is HF. The boiling point is 112 ° C. To do this, at least 38.2% of the acid must be dissolved in clear water.

The mixture is produced for industrial purposes

1. The chemical bond can be made relatively easily. You need calcium fluoride, which you associate with fuming sulfuric acid in a special oven. The end product you make this way is hydrogen fluoride gas.
2. In the second step, the hydrogen fluoride gas is washed in water together with the sulfuric acid. This gives you the hydrofluoric acid. The fluoroanhydride is another product that is required in the building materials industry, among other things.


Hydrofluoric acid - information and mode of action of the solution

Hydrofluoric acid is a simple but very dangerous chemical. Before dealing with her ...

3. You need the concentration to etch glass or metals, for example, so that they get a bare surface. This is very important in the production of semiconductors, for example. Fuels such as gasoline are also refined in this way.

Hydrofluoric acid is very corrosive to the skin

• If you work with hydrofluoric acid, you should take care that your skin does not come into contact with the mixture. The acid has a so-called resorptive effect. It is a poison that can penetrate all layers of the skin down to the bones. The contact with the acid does not hurt immediately, but sometimes only much later. It can take hours before you notice something.
• If the hydrofluoric acid is very concentrated, an injury just a few centimeters in diameter can lead to death. Therefore, you should immediately consult a doctor in the event of chemical burns. It is imperative to act in a hurry, especially since painkillers and narcotics often fail. The affected area must be injected with a solution of calcium gluconate to prevent the acid from penetrating deeper body layers.

Mucous membranes should never come into contact with the acid, because even small amounts of the acid lead to death. If you have to work with the acid, you should always comply with all safety standards, because hydrofluoric acid is very dangerous.