What is phosphoric acid
Phosphoric acid is a crystalline acid obtained e.g. by treating phosphates with sulfuric acid, used in fertilizer and soap manufacture and food processing.
Due to its non-toxic properties, phosphoric acid is used by a variety of industries in multiple applications. Phosphoric acid can be found in cosmetic and skincare products, water treatment and metal cleaners, as well as fertilizer compounds. The chemical itself lends itself well to control the pH level of substances and as rust removal for metals including iron and steel.
- Synonyms: orthophosphoric acid, phosphoric acid
- INCI: Phosphoric Acid
- Chemical formula: H3PO4
- CAS # 7664-38-2
- Hazard: Non-hazardous
BUY Phosphoric acid IN VARIOUS GRADES
Use the links below to view all package sizes for these specific products:
Product Specifications
Characteristics | |
---|---|
Appearance | colorless liquid |
Odor | odorless |
Taste | tangy or sour |
Solubilities | solubleble in water |
Density | 1.88 g/cm³ |
Boiling point | 316.4°F |
Freezing point | 71°F |
Molecular weight | 98 |
Weight per gallon | 14.0562 LBs |
Class | acid, phosphate, phosphate technical, phosphoric acid |
Grades | NF grade, NG/ACS, Reagent (ACS, AR), Reagent/U.V. Spectrophotometric, technical |

Uses and Applications for Phosphoric acid
Phosphoric acid has many applications. Due to its non-toxic and mildly acidic nature, it is used in food flavoring, beverages, dental products, cosmetics, and skin care products. Industrially, it is used mainly in the production of phosphate fertilizers.
-
Coatings & Construction: metal finishers, corrosion inhibitors, removes mineral deposits,
cement smears and hard water stains. It can act as an oxidizing agent to produce activated
carbon products -
Agriculture: fertilizer compounds. Phosphoric acid is also used as an additive and
flavouring agent in animal or poultry feed. - HI&I: cleaning compounds, household cleaning agent, sanitizing agent
-
Pharmaceutical: dentistry as an etching solution to clean teeth, teeth whiteners
or mouth washing liquids. It is also used commonly in anti-nausea medicines - Oil & Gas: petroleum
-
Personal Care: skin care products, cosmetics, shower gels, fragrances, hair care
products and dyes, nail products, makeup - Other: water treatment, metal cleaners, rust removal agent, pH modifier
Quick Answers
Phosphoric acid is a weak acid used in personal skin care products, cosmetics as well as industrial cleaners and water treatments.
Knowing where to get phosphoric acid is probably just the beginning of your company’s chemical requirements. Don’t trust your critical phosphoric acid supply to just any company. Turn to the market leader in the United States and Canada for phosphoric acid distribution and benefit from our professional services and unbeaten track record on safe and reliable phosphoric acid delivery.
Your best approach will be to contact Brenntag North America. Brenntag is the established global market leader in ingredient and chemical distribution and can fully supply all your phosphoric acid and other chemical needs.
Phosphoric acid is available in bags, pails, kegs, metal drum, totes, and bulk quantities. You can view all phosphoric acids and package sizes on Brenntag Connect.
You can download a copy of the SDS for phosphoric acid from Brenntag Connect.
What would you like to do next
This document is for informational purposes only. You accept sole responsibility for reading and complying with the Safety Data Sheets (SDS’s), as well as any other safety information, relating to the products listed herein. The information contained herein is based on Brenntag’s knowledge at the time of publication or release and not on any publications, independent studies, empirical evidence or other form of verification. You should not use or rely on any statements contained herein as a basis for any representations or warranties to your customers or end users as to the safety, efficacy or suitability of any product or for purposes of ensuring your compliance with any laws or regulations. Brenntag makes no warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained herein or as to fitness of any product for any particular purpose. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as an authorization to use or an inducement to practice any patent, trade secret or other intellectual property right. Before producing and distributing any product, it is your sole responsibility to adequately test and document the performance of the product and acquire any required intellectual property rights. You assume all risks for failing to do so and Brenntag shall not be liable (regardless of fault) to you, your employees, customers or end users or any third party for direct, special or consequential damages arising out of or in connection with the furnishing or use of this information. Please contact your local Brenntag representative if you have any questions about this information.