

Formic Acid
$8,500.00 Original price was: $8,500.00.$8,400.00Current price is: $8,400.00.
Formic acid is a colorless, pungent liquid with a chemical formula of HCOOH. It is the simplest carboxylic acid, naturally occurring in certain fruits and vegetables and in the venom of some ants. It has a wide range of industrial applications as a preservative, antibacterial agent, solvent, and in the production of textiles, leather, rubber, and other materials. It also has some medical applications and is used in organic chemistry reactions as a reducing agent. However, formic acid is highly corrosive and can be dangerous if ingested or inhaled in large quantities.
Formic acid Uses
Primary Uses of Formic Acid
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Animal Feed Preservation
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Acts as an antibacterial agent and preservative in silage and livestock feed
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Helps prevent spoilage and improves feed digestibility for cattle and poultry
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Leather Tanning Industry
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Used in the deliming process to remove lime from hides
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Helps adjust pH levels during chrome tanning processes
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Textile Industry
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Serves as a dyeing and finishing agent for natural and synthetic fibers
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Used in pH adjustment during textile processing
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Rubber Industry
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Employed as a coagulant in natural rubber production
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Helps in the coagulation of latex to form raw rubber sheets
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Cleaning Agent
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Effective descaler for removing mineral deposits
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Used in industrial cleaning products for equipment maintenance
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Secondary Uses of Formic Acid
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Beekeeping
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Treatment for varroa mites in honeybee colonies
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Applied as a fumigant in beehives
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Fuel Cells
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Potential fuel source for direct formic acid fuel cells
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Considered as a hydrogen carrier in energy storage systems
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Pharmaceuticals
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Precursor in the synthesis of various pharmaceutical compounds
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Used in some topical medications for wart removal
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Food Industry
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Approved food additive (E236) as a preservative
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Used in some countries for silage preservation
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Laboratory Applications
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Mobile phase component in some chromatography applications
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Used as a volatile buffer in specialized chemical analyses
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CONCENTRATION |
85% |
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AVAILABLE PACK SIZE |
25kg( Metal or Plastic Jerrycan/ Bucket, Bag, Box, Polythene bag, Carton bag) |
1. Basic Identification Attributes
- Chemical Name (IUPAC): Methanoic acid
- Common/Trade Names:
- Formic acid
- Aminic acid
- Hydrogen carboxylic acid
- CAS Number: [64-18-6]
- HS Code: 2915.11.00 (Formic acid)
- Molecular Formula: HCOOH or CH₂O₂
- Synonyms:
- Formylic acid
- Carboxylic acid
2. Physical & Chemical Properties
- Physical State: Colorless liquid
- Color & Odor: Pungent, penetrating odor (similar to acetic acid but sharper)
- Boiling Point: 100.8°C (213.4°F)
- Melting Point: 8.4°C (47.1°F)
- Density: 1.22 g/cm³ at 20°C
- Solubility:
- Miscible with water, ethanol, ether
- Soluble in acetone
- pH Level: 2.3 (1% solution; strong acid)
- Vapor Pressure: 35 mmHg at 20°C
- Flash Point: 69°C (156°F) (flammable liquid)
- Autoignition Temperature: 601°C (1,114°F)
- Viscosity: 1.57 cP at 20°C
- Refractive Index: 1.3714 (20°C)
3. Safety & Hazard Attributes
- Hazard Class (GHS):
- Skin Corrosion (Category 1A) - H314
- Serious Eye Damage (Category 1) - H318
- Flammable Liquid (Category 3) - H226
- NFPA Ratings:
- Health: 3
- Flammability: 2
- Reactivity: 0
- Exposure Limits:
- OSHA PEL: 5 ppm (9 mg/m³) TWA
- ACGIH TLV: 5 ppm (7.6 mg/m³) TWA
- Reactivity:
- Reacts violently with oxidizers, strong bases
- Corrodes metals (iron, aluminum, zinc)
4. Storage & Handling Attributes
- Storage Conditions:
- Store in cool, well-ventilated area (<25°C)
- Keep away from heat sources and oxidizers
- Incompatible Materials:
- Concentrated sulfuric acid
- Alkali metals
- Strong bases
- Container Type:
- Polyethylene or stainless steel 316
- Glass with acid-resistant liners
- Shelf Life: 12-24 months when properly stored
- Special Handling:
- Use acid-resistant gloves (neoprene or butyl rubber)
- Face shield and chemical goggles required
- Fume hood recommended for concentrated solutions
5. Regulatory & Compliance Attributes
- Regulatory Status:
- EPA: Listed under TSCA
- EU: Registered under REACH
- FDA: Approved as food additive (21 CFR 186.1316)
- Hazard Symbols:
- ☠️ (Corrosive)
- ⚠️ (Health hazard)
- 🔥 (Flammable)
- Transportation Restrictions:
- UN Number: UN1779
- Packing Group: II
- Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive)
- Waste Disposal:
- Neutralize with sodium bicarbonate before disposal
- Incineration with scrubber recommended
6. Environmental & Health Impact
- Ecotoxicity:
- LC50 (fish): 180 mg/L (moderately toxic)
- BOD₅: 0.35 g O₂/g (readily biodegradable)
- Persistence:
- Atmospheric half-life: 5-30 days
- Aquatic half-life: 2-10 days
- Human Health:
- Causes severe skin burns (concentrated solutions)
- Eye contact may cause permanent damage
- Respiratory irritant (>10 ppm exposure)
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Gloves: Use acid-resistant gloves (neoprene or nitrile).
- Eye Protection: Wear chemical splash goggles or a face shield.
- Respiratory Protection: Use a NIOSH-approved respirator (with acid gas cartridges) if ventilation is insufficient.
- Clothing: Wear a lab coat or chemical-resistant apron to prevent skin contact.
Handling & Storage
- Ventilation: Work in a fume hood or well-ventilated area.
- Avoid Inhalation: Do not breathe vapors or mists.
- Corrosivity: Formic acid is highly corrosive—avoid contact with metals, skin, and eyes.
- Storage: Keep in a cool, dry place in tightly sealed plastic (HDPE) or glass containers.
- Incompatibilities: Keep away from strong oxidizers, bases, and reactive metals (e.g., aluminum, zinc).
Spill & Leak Control
- Small Spills: Neutralize with sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) or absorb with inert material (vermiculite, sand).
- Large Spills: Evacuate and contact emergency responders.
Inhalation (Breathing Formic Acid Vapors)
- Symptoms: Coughing, shortness of breath, throat irritation.
- Action:
- Move to fresh air immediately.
- Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult.
- Seek medical attention if symptoms persist.
Skin Contact
- Symptoms: Redness, burns, severe irritation.
- Action:
- Remove contaminated clothing.
- Rinse skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes.
- Seek medical help if burns occur.
Eye Contact
- Symptoms: Severe pain, redness, blurred vision, possible corneal damage.
- Action:
- Rinse eyes immediately with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes(use eyewash station).
- Seek emergency medical attention.
Ingestion (Swallowing Formic Acid)
- Symptoms: Burning in mouth/throat, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain.
- Action:
- Do NOT induce vomiting(risk of perforation).
- Rinse mouth with water.
- Drink milk or water to dilute (if conscious).
- Seek immediatemedical help.
Flammability
- Formic acid is flammable(flash point: 69°C / 156°F).
- Vapors can form explosive mixtures with air.
Extinguishing Methods
- Small Fires: Use dry chemical powder, CO₂, or alcohol-resistant foam.
- Large Fires: Use water spray, fog, or foam to cool containers.
Firefighter Protection
- Wear self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)and full protective gear.
- Avoid inhaling fumes (combustion releases carbon monoxideand formaldehyde).
Special Hazards
- Corrosive fumes can irritate respiratory tract.
- Runoff water may be acidic—contain to prevent environmental contamination.