Why Ferric Chloride 40%
Ferric Chloride 40% Reagent Grade (CAS: 7705-08-0) is a highly soluble, dark brown liquid solution formulated to deliver precise chemical dosing without the exothermic reactions associated with dissolving dry inorganic salts. By arriving as a pre-mixed 40% concentration, this FeCl3 solution provides immediate operational readiness for industrial, environmental, and wastewater facilities that require exact fluid management. The reagent grade designation ensures a rigid baseline of purity, delivering consistent and reproducible results where strict chemical parameters must be maintained. Exhibiting a distinct metallic luster and fuming appearance, this liquid integrates rapidly into both aqueous and alcohol-based systems. It allows operators to bypass time-consuming dissolution steps, improving the efficiency of continuous-flow chemical processes and sensitive laboratory applications.
Best Applications for This Grade
- Wastewater coagulation and flocculation: Commonly applied in municipal and industrial effluent treatment facilities to rapidly bind suspended solids and precipitate heavy metals. The reliable 40% liquid format ensures exact automated dosing rates to optimize sludge volume reduction and improve clarifier efficiency.
- Environmental phosphorus precipitation: Utilized directly in environmental water management to react with dissolved phosphates, preventing eutrophication in natural water bodies and ensuring industrial facilities meet strict municipal discharge limits.
- Printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing and industrial etching: Commonly applied in specialized metal surface treatments where the fuming Ferric Chloride solution acts to efficiently remove copper. The reagent purity ensures an even, predictable etch rate without pitting caused by trace contaminants.
- Chemical synthesis and laboratory operations: Serves as a highly effective Lewis acid catalyst in complex organic chemistry reactions, such as Friedel-Crafts alkylation and acylation. The high purity of this grade prevents unwanted side reactions and catalyst poisoning.
- Hydrogen sulfide mitigation and odor control: Commonly applied in sludge processing infrastructure to directly react with dissolved sulfides, minimizing corrosive gas damage to equipment and neutralizing offensive odors during mechanical dewatering operations.
When to Choose a Different Grade
- If the operation involves highly sensitive analytical laboratory procedures requiring certified, strictly monitored trace-metal profiles → Ferric Chloride ACS Grade
- If the facility prefers to manage a dry product to minimize shipping weight, control custom dilution rates on site, or requires a completely water-free catalyst → Ferric Chloride Anhydrous Powder
- If the process demands a less concentrated liquid form to eliminate the fuming characteristics during open-air processing → Ferric Chloride 30% Solution
| Molecular Weight |
162.20 |
| Formula |
FeCl3 |
| Assay |
39-41% |
| Grade |
Technical |
| Form |
Liquid |
| Solubility |
Soluble in water |
| Appearance |
Dark brown to yellowish liquid |
| Melting Point |
37 |
| Boiling Point |
280 |
| Specific Gravity |
1.19 |
| Industry |
Environmental Engineering, Electronics Manufacturing, Chemical Manufacturing, Analytical Chemistry, Chemical Synthesis |