Definition and Usage of Hydrofluoric acid

Hydrofluoric acid is the name given to the solution of hydrogen fluoride compound in water. It is especially used in the glass processing industry. They cannot be stored in glass bottles, as they have a corrosive effect on the glass. It is in clear liquid form and is defined as HF.

Hydrofluoric acid is a solution of hydrogen fluoride (HF) in water. Pharmaceuticals such as fluoxetine (Prozac), various materials such as PTFE (Teflon), and almost all fluorine compounds, including elemental fluorine itself, are the precursors. It is a very corrosive, colorless solution that can dissolve many materials, especially oxides. Its ability to melt glass has been known since the 17th century, before Carl Wilhelm Scheele prepared it in large quantities in 1771. Due to its high reactivity to glass and moderate reactivity to many metals, hydrofluoric acid is often stored in plastic containers (although PTFE is slightly permeable).

Hydrogen fluoride gas is an acute poison that can cause immediate and permanent damage to the lungs and corneas of the eyes. Aqueous hydrofluoric acid is a contact poison that can cause initial painless deep skin burn and subsequent tissue death. By interfering with the body’s calcium metabolism, the concentrated acid can also cause systemic toxicity and eventual cardiac arrest and death, after contact with the skin at less than 160 cm (25 square inches).

Care must be taken in its use. Inhalation may cause severe poisoning, while skin contact may cause deep burns. Hydrofluoric acid is also used to make high-octane gasoline. In addition, among the usage areas; There are also issues such as purification of aluminum and uranium, removal of rust in laundry products, catalyst in the oil industry. Because of its ability to dissolve silicate compounds, it is often used during the mineral and rock analysis process to dissolve rock samples. It is used in glass shaping.

Usage areas

• It is used as a starting material or intermediate in industrial chemistry, mineral extraction, refining, glass coating, silicon chip manufacturing and cleaning.
• In metalworking, hydrofluoric acid is used as a pickling agent to remove oxides and other impurities from stainless and carbon steels, as its ability to dissolve steel is limited.
• Because of its ability to dissolve (most) oxides and silicates, hydrofluoric acid is useful for dissolving (usually pulverized) rock samples prior to analysis.
• Acid is used in acid macerations to extract organic fossils from silicate rocks.
• In addition to being a very corrosive liquid, HF is a strong contact poison. Due to the tissue-penetrating ability of hydrofluoric acid, poisoning can easily occur by exposing the skin or eyes, or by inhalation or ingestion.