Product Overview
Acetic Acid Glacial is the concentrated, undiluted form of acetic acid — a clear, colorless liquid with the sharp, unmistakable smell of vinegar. "Glacial" refers to the fact that pure acetic acid solidifies just below room temperature into ice-like crystals; in practice, you receive a free-flowing liquid that is the strongest concentration available. This technical-grade product is built for industrial process work: pH correction in water treatment, solvent duty in chemical manufacturing and dye-bath chemistry in textile finishing. we distribute it in our Taylor, TX warehouse and ship it daily in DOT-compliant hazmat packaging, from single quarts for bench testing up to 330-gallon totes for continuous production lines.
Why This Concentration
Glacial acetic acid is the undiluted starting material. For buyers running processes that consume acid at volume — continuous pH correction loops, large-batch organic synthesis, textile dye fixing — glacial is the most cost-effective form. You dilute to your target strength on site and you are not paying freight on water.
The trade-off is handling intensity. At full strength, this acid is corrosive to skin, eyes and tissue and it carries a dual hazard classification: Class 8 corrosive with a Class 3 flammable subsidiary risk (per 49 CFR 172.101). Flash point is 104 °F, which means ignition sources and hot-work permits matter in the storage area. Operators need acid-rated gloves, splash goggles and adequate ventilation at minimum. If your process calls for a lower working concentration and you would rather receive it ready to use, pre-diluted grades reduce both the corrosive exposure risk and the flammable-storage burden.
Chemical Profile
Acetic Acid Glacial is a clear, colorless liquid with a pungent odor characteristic of concentrated vinegar. Its molecular formula is C₂H₄O₂ with a molecular weight of 60.05 g/mol, registered under CAS Number 64-19-7. Density is 1.051 at 68 °F — slightly heavier than water, so spills will pool at the lowest point rather than float. The acid is fully miscible with water, with solubility at or above 100 mg/mL at 73 °F. Vapor pressure sits at 11.4 mmHg at 68 °F and climbs to 20 mmHg at 86 °F, which means noticeable fuming in warm environments and a workspace that will smell strongly of vinegar well before concentrations reach a hazardous level. The flash point of 104 °F places it in the flammable range under normal summer warehouse conditions — a fact that drives both its DOT subsidiary hazard classification and the ventilation requirements for indoor storage.
Industrial Applications
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pH Adjustment — Water Treatment:Glacial acetic acid lowers pH in process water, cooling loops and wastewater neutralization systems. Because it is a weak organic acid, it provides a more controllable pH drop than strong mineral acids like hydrochloric or sulfuric, reducing the risk of over-shooting the target setpoint. Operators inject it via metering pumps and dilute inline to the working concentration their system requires.
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Solvent in Organic Synthesis — Chemical Manufacturing:In chemical manufacturing, glacial acetic acid serves as both a reaction solvent and a feedstock. It dissolves a wide range of organic and inorganic compounds, making it a practical medium for esterification, acetylation and other acid-catalyzed reactions. Its miscibility with water also simplifies downstream wash and separation steps.
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Textile Processing:In textile operations, acetic acid acts as a dye-bath acidifier and pH modifier during dyeing and finishing. It helps set acid dyes on protein and nylon fibers and is used in post-dye neutralization rinses. Its volatility at elevated temperatures means residual acid flashes off during heat-setting, leaving no mineral residue on the fabric.
Handling & Storage
Signal word:Danger(per the product's GHS classification).
GHS hazard statements for this product:
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H226:Flammable liquid and vapor (per the product's GHS classification).
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H314:Causes severe skin burns and serious eye damage (per the product's GHS classification).
Wear acid-resistant gloves (butyl rubber or nitrile, minimum 8 mil), indirect-vent chemical splash goggles and a face shield when handling open containers. Use in a well-ventilated area or under local exhaust; if ventilation is insufficient, use an organic-vapor respirator. Acid-resistant apron or coveralls are recommended when pouring or transferring.
Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area in tightly closed HDPE, glass, or compatible stainless-steel containers. Keep away from strong oxidizers, strong bases and ignition sources. Acetic acid is corrosive to most common metals — carbon steel, iron and copper alloys will corrode on contact. Store below 104 °F to stay below the flash point and keep containers sealed to minimize vapor release and moisture absorption.
Hazmat & Shipping
Acetic Acid Glacial ships as a regulated hazardous material. The DOT classification details:
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UN Number:UN2789 (per 49 CFR 172.101)
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Hazard Class:8 — Corrosive (per 49 CFR 172.101)
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Subsidiary Hazard:Class 3 — Flammable Liquid (per 49 CFR 172.101)
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Packing Group:II (per 49 CFR 172.101)
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Proper Shipping Name:Acetic acid, glacial (per 49 CFR 172.101)
Every shipment from our Taylor, TX facility is packaged and labeled to current DOT hazmat standards. Containers are sealed, labeled with the required diamond placards and accompanied by compliant shipping papers. We ship hazmat daily via ground carriers experienced with Class 8/Class 3 dual-hazard loads.
Documentation
A Safety Data Sheet ships with every order of this product, available in English, Spanish, French and Japanese. A Technical Data Sheet is also available for process and engineering reference. Lot-specific Certificates of Analysis are available on request, documenting the assay and quality parameters for the specific batch you receive.
Why Buy from Alliance Chemical
We are hazmat operators. Acetic Acid Glacial ships from our warehouse in Taylor, TX every business day, packed in DOT-compliant containers with proper Class 8/Class 3 labeling and documentation. Our shipping and handling guidance is reviewed by Andre Taki, DOT Hazmat Specialist, so what you receive current transport regulations from warehouse to dock. we distribute this product in sizes from single quarts through 330-gallon totes, which means whether you need a bench sample or a production run's worth, it ships from the same facility with the same compliance standard. SDS documentation, lot-specific COAs and responsive technical support come standard with every order.
Related Reading
A 2026 Journal of Chemical Education paper argues the inductive effect in a neutral molecule reaches only about one bond, not the fading chain drawn in textbooks since 1934. The acid-strength numbers stay (one chlorine makes acetic acid about 80 times stronger next to the acid group, 8 times one carbon away, 2 times two away); the explanation changes. Why the argument started with acetic acid, pKa 4.76, in 1916. Textbooks Drew This Arrow Wrong for 90 Years. It Started With Acetic Acid..
