Acids & Salts Available — Bulk Only

Phosphoric Acid (Orthophosphoric Acid)

H3PO4
CAS 7664-38-2 · Formula H3O4P · MW 97.995 g/mol

A versatile mineral acid serving metal treatment, water conditioning, fertilizer production and food acidulation. Established uses include fertilizer and phosphate-salt manufacture, metal pickling, rust-proofing and brightening, water treatment, detergent production, food and beverage acidulation, and semiconductor etching.

Safety Data Sheet
UN Number
UN 1805
Hazard Class
Class 8
HS Code
2809.20
At a Glance
Material Family
Acids & Salts
Record Type
Pure compound
Primary Role
pH Adjustment · Corrosion Inhibition
Functional Roles
PHOSPHORIC ACID
BUFFERING
Applications & Use Cases
  • Metal treatment: pickling, rust-proofing and brightening of metals
  • Fertilizers: feedstock for superphosphates and phosphate salts
  • Water treatment: conditioning and corrosion control in water systems
  • Food and beverage: acidulant in foods and soft drinks
  • Electronics: etchant in semiconductor manufacturing
Physical Properties
Melting Point
42 °C
Boiling Point
> 130 °C at 760 mmHg
Density
1.892 at 25 °C
Solubility
Miscible
Vapor Pressure
0.03 mmHg
pH
pH = 1.5 (0.1 N aqueous solution)
Safety & Handling
Full SDS available on request

A grade-specific Safety Data Sheet (SDS) — with the complete hazard classification, handling precautions, and transport information — is supplied with every shipment and available on request. Confirm all safety and regulatory details against the SDS for your specific grade.

DOT / UN Transport Classification
DOT hazard class 8 placard
UN / DOT NumberUN 1805
Hazard Class / DivisionClass 8
Packing GroupIII
Proper Shipping NamePhosphoric acid solution

Transport classification per the UN Model Regulations / 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table. Confirm against the grade-specific SDS (Section 14) before shipping.

HS / Tariff Classification
Harmonized System (HS) Code — 6-digit international heading
2809 . 20
Chapter 28
Inorganic chemicals; compounds of precious metals and rare-earth metals
Heading 28.09
Internationally harmonized (WCO HS)
Subheading 2809.20
6-digit international code — national tariff line adds further digits
Chemical Identity
CAS Number
7664-38-2
Molecular Formula
H3O4P
Molecular Weight
97.995 g/mol
IUPAC Name
phosphoric acid
INCI Name
PHOSPHORIC ACID
PubChem CID
InChI Key
NBIIXXVUZAFLBC-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Synonyms & Trade Names
Phosphoric acid ORTHOPHOSPHORIC ACID o-Phosphoric acid Wc-reiniger Acidum phosphoricum Sonac Phosphorsaeure Evits Acide phosphorique Phosphoricum acidum Acido fosforico Phosphorsaeureloesungen FEMA No. 2900 Fosforzuuroplossingen Vococid White phosphoric acid Amberphos 54
Full Description

Phosphoric Acid (CAS 7664-38-2), also called orthophosphoric acid, is a mineral acid supplied in industrial and technical grades. Established uses include fertilizer and phosphate-salt manufacture, metal pickling, rust-proofing and brightening, water treatment, detergent production, food and beverage acidulation, and semiconductor etching.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is phosphoric acid mainly used for?

Phosphoric acid (CAS 7664-38-2) is a mineral acid used industrially in metal pickling, rust-proofing and brightening, as a feedstock for superphosphate fertilizers and phosphate salts, in water-treatment conditioning, detergent production, food and beverage acidulation, and as an etchant in semiconductor manufacturing. RawSource supplies it in industrial and technical grades.

Is phosphoric acid a strong or weak acid?

Phosphoric acid (H3PO4) is a triprotic mineral acid generally classified as a weak-to-moderate acid; it dissociates in three steps with decreasing strength. It is supplied as aqueous solution at various concentrations. Request a CoA for the exact assay of a given lot.

What is the chemical formula of phosphoric acid?

The formula is H3PO4 (also written H3O4P), also known as orthophosphoric acid. CAS number is 7664-38-2 and HS code 2809.20.

How is bulk phosphoric acid shipped and classified for transport?

Phosphoric acid solution ships under UN 1805 (Phosphoric acid, solution). RawSource supplies it in drums, IBC totes, and bulk; SDS and DOT documentation accompany each shipment. Confirm packaging and concentration with your sales rep when requesting a quote.

What is the cost of bulk phosphoric acid?

Bulk phosphoric acid pricing depends on grade, concentration, packaging, and volume. RawSource quotes drum, tote, and bulk loads to spec — request a current bulk quote with your target grade and quantity.

Disclaimer. Information on this page — including properties, identifiers, hazard, transport (DOT/UN) and tariff (HS) classifications, and applications — is provided for general reference and is compiled from authoritative public sources (e.g. PubChem/ECHA, 49 CFR 172.101, the Harmonized Tariff Schedule). Values are typical and are not a guaranteed specification; the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for the lot purchased governs. Products are sold for industrial and professional use only. Nothing here is a medical, health, or efficacy claim or advice. Always consult the current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) before handling, storage, transport or disposal, and confirm regulatory status, classification and suitability for your application and jurisdiction. Hazard, transport and tariff classifications must be verified for your specific shipment. RawSource makes no warranty, express or implied, and assumes no liability for use of this information. Trademarks. Third-party trademarks and brand names are the property of their respective owners; any reference is nominative — used only to identify a comparable product — and does not imply affiliation with, sponsorship by, or endorsement by the trademark owner.