Sulfuric Acid

Sulfuric acid is a strong diprotic mineral acid, and this product is a 30% solution by weight in water (CAS 7664-93-9), Technical Grade, sitting in the classic battery-electrolyte strength range.

As with any acid, concentration defines the product. This 30% solution is far milder than concentrated sulfuric acid at 93 to 98%, which is oily, intensely dehydrating, and generates enormous heat on contact with water. At 30%, the acid is a mobile, water-thin liquid that is much easier and safer to meter, while still delivering strong acidity for treatment and processing.

The 30% strength is what most people mean by battery-grade or electrolyte-range sulfuric acid, comparable to the fluid in a charged lead-acid cell. Choose it when your process is designed around a dilute feed, or when concentrated acid would be needlessly aggressive and harder to handle safely.

Sulfuric acid is sold across a wide strength range, and this 30% Technical Grade solution sits near the dilute, electrolyte end of that spectrum. The strength you need depends entirely on the application.

• 30% solution (this product) - battery-electrolyte range, easy to meter, general industrial acid demand.
• Concentrated 93-98% - the heavy, oily acid used for aggressive dehydration and strong acid duty.
• ACS reagent grades - high-purity acid for analytical work.

Sulfuric acid is supplied only as an aqueous solution; there is no solid form, and the color ranges from clear to slightly straw. Technical Grade denotes industrial purity suitable for manufacturing, treatment, and maintenance rather than laboratory analysis. Do not assume you can simply dilute concentrated acid to match this product without careful heat management, since mixing concentrated sulfuric acid with water is strongly exothermic and hazardous. Buying it pre-diluted at 30% removes that step and its risk.

30% sulfuric acid is used for pH adjustment, metal pickling, lead-acid battery electrolyte, and broad industrial acid demand where a dilute, water-thin acid is preferred. Its electrolyte-range strength makes it versatile without the extreme reactivity of concentrated acid.

• Battery electrolyte for filling and topping lead-acid cells.
• pH control and neutralization of alkaline streams and process water.
• Metal pickling and descaling ahead of plating or finishing.
• Wastewater treatment and process acidification.
• General chemical processing and laboratory acid demand at industrial scale.

Because the concentration is fixed at 30%, dosing is predictable and reduces the hazard of diluting concentrated acid on site. As always, run a small compatibility and rate test on your specific substrate and equipment before committing to a full-scale batch, and confirm the strength suits the job.

Store 30% sulfuric acid in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area in its original sealed HDPE or polyethylene container, away from heat and direct sunlight. A storage range of roughly 4 to 30 °C is ideal.

Dilute sulfuric acid attacks carbon steel and most metals, so keep containers off bare metal and out of contact with unprotected concrete, using secondary containment sized for the vessel. Keep it well separated from bases, from strong oxidizers, from water-reactive materials, and from metals, which can react to release hydrogen gas. Never store it near organic solvents or combustibles.

• Use acid-rated, vented closures to relieve any pressure buildup.
• Label clearly and never repurpose the container for another chemical.

The 30% solution remains liquid well below -30 °C, so freezing is not a normal storage concern, though it should still be protected from extreme cold.

Sulfuric acid 30% has an effectively indefinite shelf life, generally rated at two or more years, when kept sealed in a compatible container. Sulfuric acid is chemically stable and does not decompose or spoil over time.

The main practical concern is not degradation but contamination and slight concentration change. Sulfuric acid is hygroscopic, meaning an open container can absorb atmospheric moisture and drift slightly in strength, while contact with incompatible materials can introduce dissolved metals. A faint straw color does not mean the acid is unusable.

• Keep containers tightly sealed between uses to hold concentration steady.
• Confirm strength by titration before any process requiring an exact percentage.
• Store away from heat and moisture to preserve quality.

Rotate stock on a first-in, first-out basis and reseal immediately after every withdrawal.

Sulfuric acid 30% is corrosive and demands chemical splash goggles, a face shield, acid-resistant gloves such as nitrile or neoprene, and protective clothing whenever it is handled. Contact causes severe skin and eye burns, and mists irritate the respiratory tract.

Work in a well-ventilated area or under local exhaust. When diluting, always add acid slowly to water while stirring, never water to acid, because sulfuric acid releases a large amount of heat on dilution and can spatter or boil if handled in reverse. Keep an eyewash station and safety shower within immediate reach.

• Never mix with bases, oxidizers, or water-reactive chemicals without controlling the reaction.
• Keep away from metals, which can generate flammable hydrogen gas.
• Neutralize small spills carefully with soda ash or lime, then absorb.

It is classified as DOT Class 8, UN 2796. Always review the SDS before use.

Dispose of sulfuric acid only in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations, never by discharging concentrated acid to a drain or the ground. Spent or waste sulfuric acid typically meets the RCRA corrosivity characteristic (waste code D002) and must be handled as hazardous waste unless properly neutralized under your permits.

Small volumes can sometimes be carefully neutralized toward a neutral pH using a mild base such as soda ash or lime, but only within your facility's permitted discharge limits and procedures. Larger quantities should go to a licensed hazardous-waste contractor.

• Transport follows DOT Class 8, UN 2796 for sulfuric acid at this concentration.
• Keep the SDS and shipping records with the material.
• Verify local treatment-works limits before any on-site neutralization.

The product ships as fully compliant DOT hazmat ground freight from Taylor, TX.