Chemical laboratory

Ferric Chloride

High-Purity Coagulant for Water Treatment Applications

  • CAS 7705-08-0
  • Formula FeCl₃
  • Flash Pt N/A °C
  • Density 2.90 g/cm³
Shop Product Download SDS

Physical & Chemical Properties

Property Value Unit
Boiling point 315°C °C
Flash point N/A °C
Density 2.90 g/cm³ g/cm³
Solubility Very soluble in water (92 g/100 mL at 20°C) -
Ph 1.8 (0.1M solution) -
Molecular weight 162.20 g/mol g/mol
Melting point 306 °C (anhydrous) °C
Vapor pressure N/A mmHg
Autoignition temp N/A -
Appearance Yellow-brown solid -
Odor Slight hydrochloric acid odor -
Vapor density N/A g/cm³

Overview

Ferric Chloride (FeCl₃, CAS 7705-08-0) is a yellow-brown crystalline solid with a molecular weight of 162.20 g/mol. This highly soluble inorganic salt dissolves readily in water (92 g/100 mL at 20°C) and produces acidic solutions with a pH of 1.8 at 0.1M concentration. Known for its distinctive slight hydrochloric acid odor, ferric chloride serves as a versatile chemical reagent across multiple industrial applications, from water treatment to electronics manufacturing.

Key Applications

Ferric chloride functions primarily as a coagulant in water and wastewater treatment, effectively removing suspended particles, phosphorus, and organic matter from municipal and industrial water systems. Its rapid flocculation properties make it ideal for clarifying drinking water and treating sewage effluent.

In the electronics industry, ferric chloride serves as an essential PCB etching agent, selectively removing copper from circuit boards to create precise electronic pathways. Its controlled reactivity and clean etching characteristics make it the preferred choice for professional PCB manufacturing.

The chemical also functions as a catalyst in organic synthesis and as a mordant in textile dyeing, helping dyes bond permanently to fabric fibers. Additionally, ferric chloride plays a crucial role in pigment production, contributing to the manufacture of various iron oxide colorants.

Safety & Handling

Ferric chloride is classified as corrosive and requires careful handling procedures. With no flash point or autoignition temperature, it presents minimal fire hazards but can cause severe skin and eye irritation upon contact. Personal protective equipment including chemical-resistant gloves, safety goggles, and protective clothing is essential when handling this material.

Adequate ventilation is crucial during use to prevent inhalation of dust or vapors. The slight hydrochloric acid odor serves as a natural warning indicator. Always work in well-ventilated areas or use local exhaust ventilation systems to maintain safe air quality.

Storage & Shelf Life

Store ferric chloride in tightly sealed containers made of corrosion-resistant materials such as polyethylene or glass. Keep containers in cool, dry areas away from moisture, as the anhydrous form readily absorbs water from air. Maintain storage temperatures below the melting point of 306°C to prevent phase changes.

Avoid contact with metals, strong bases, and reducing agents that may cause unwanted reactions. Properly stored ferric chloride maintains its effectiveness indefinitely when protected from moisture and contamination.

Why Alliance Chemical

Alliance Chemical delivers Ferric Chloride with same-day shipping from our Taylor, Texas facility. We offer flexible shipping options including UPS for smaller quantities, LTL for medium orders, and full truckload (FTL) for bulk requirements. Every shipment includes comprehensive Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and Certificates of Analysis (COA) to ensure you receive complete product documentation for regulatory compliance and quality assurance.

Shipping & Availability

Parcel Shipping

UPS Ground supports pints, quarts, and most 1-gallon packages nationwide.

LTL Freight

5-gallon pails, drums, and totes move via LTL carriers such as ABF Freight, SEFL, Saia, and XPO.

Full Truckload

FTL available for palletized bulk orders. Competitive freight rates.

Local Pickup

Same-day pickup at our Taylor, TX warehouse for Texas customers.

SDS, COA, and TDS available for every product • Same-day shipping on orders before 1 PM CT

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ferric chloride (FeCl3) and what is it used for?
Ferric chloride (FeCl3) is an inorganic iron salt supplied as an acidic, dark-brown aqueous solution commonly at 40% w/w. It is used industrially as a coagulant in water and wastewater treatment, as an etchant for printed circuit boards and metals, and as a reagent in laboratory and metal-finishing processes.
How should ferric chloride 40% be stored and what is its typical shelf life?
Store ferric chloride in tightly closed, corrosion-resistant containers in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from alkaline materials and metals. Typical unopened shelf life is about 12 months—check the supplier Certificate of Analysis (COA) and perform quality checks on older stock before use.
What safety precautions and personal protective equipment (PPE) are required when handling ferric chloride?
Ferric chloride is corrosive and can cause severe skin and eye irritation; use chemical-resistant gloves, goggles or face shield, long-sleeved protective clothing, and work in a ventilated area. In case of contact, flush with water and follow the product Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for first aid and emergency procedures.
How does a 40% ferric chloride solution differ from lower or higher concentrations?
A 40% solution has higher active iron/chloride content and greater coagulating and etching strength compared with dilute grades, which affects dosing rates and corrosivity. Stronger concentrations are more hazardous to handle and require more aggressive materials of construction and corrosion control measures.
What documentation is available for ferric chloride (SDS, COA, technical data sheet)?
Suppliers typically provide a Safety Data Sheet (SDS), Certificate of Analysis (COA) showing assay and impurity limits, and a technical data sheet with handling, storage, and application guidance. Request these documents from your vendor for each batch to ensure compliance and quality control.
How is ferric chloride packaged and shipped safely?
Ferric chloride is normally shipped as a corrosive liquid in UN-approved packaging such as HDPE drums, intermediate bulk containers (IBCs), or bulk tankers, with appropriate hazard labeling and documentation. Transport classification is as a corrosive material under applicable local and international regulations, so carriers and packaging must comply with those rules.
Which materials are compatible or incompatible with ferric chloride?
Ferric chloride is corrosive to many metals (e.g., carbon steel, aluminum, zinc, copper/brass) and should be handled with corrosion-resistant materials such as HDPE, polypropylene (PP), PVC, PTFE, or glass-lined equipment. Avoid contact with strong bases, oxidizers, and reactive metals.
What are the typical technical specifications for 40% ferric chloride?
Typical specifications include chemical formula FeCl3, nominal concentration ~40% w/w, dark-brown aqueous appearance, strongly acidic pH, and assay/impurity limits as stated on the COA. For exact values (iron/chloride content, density, freezing point, heavy metals), consult the supplier technical data sheet and COA for the batch.
What industries and applications commonly use ferric chloride?
Common applications include municipal and industrial water/wastewater coagulation, PCB and metal etching, metal finishing, and use as a laboratory reagent for synthesis and analysis. It is widely used across electronics manufacturing, wastewater treatment plants, metal-working, and research labs.
How can I purchase ferric chloride and what availability and ordering details should I expect?
Ferric chloride 40% is widely available from chemical distributors in drum, IBC, and bulk quantities; supply lead times vary by order size and location. When purchasing, request SDS/COA, confirm packaging and transport requirements, and inform the supplier of intended industrial or laboratory use to ensure proper grade and documentation.

Documentation & Downloads

Safety Data Sheet
SDS / MSDS
Request COA
Certificate of Analysis
Technical Data Sheet (TDS)
Available for all products

Ready to Purchase?

SDS & COA included • Same-day shipping • No minimum order

Shop Ferric Chloride