Product Overview
Sulfuric Acid 37%, commonly known as Battery Acid, is a colorless, odorless, strong mineral acid shipped under its DOT proper shipping name "Battery fluid, acid" (UN2796). At 37% concentration by weight in aqueous solution, it delivers the reactivity needed for electrolyte replenishment in lead-acid batteries, pH adjustment in water treatment systems, and metal surface preparation — without the extreme viscosity and fuming behavior of concentrated sulfuric acid.
Alliance Chemical offers this product in pack sizes from single quarts through 330-gallon totes, supporting operations from bench-scale battery service shops to high-volume industrial plants. Every shipment includes safety data sheets and is classified, labeled, and packaged by our hazmat operations team in Taylor, Texas.
Why This Concentration
The 37% concentration is the standard battery-acid strength — the electrolyte concentration used in lead-acid batteries for automotive, marine, backup power, and industrial motive-power applications. Buyers choosing this concentration typically need a ready-to-use electrolyte solution rather than a dilute-it-yourself concentrate.
Compared to Sulfuric Acid 30%, this product provides a higher acid content per gallon, which matters when replenishing cells that have lost electrolyte through evaporation or overcharging. It is more aggressive than the 30% solution, so operators handling it need full acid-resistant PPE and appropriate ventilation.
For processes that demand a stronger acid — metal pickling at production scale, chemical synthesis, or ore processing — Sulfuric Acid 50% Electrolyte Grade, Sulfuric Acid 70%, or Sulfuric Acid 93% Technical Grade will deliver faster reaction rates and lower water content. Conversely, if your application calls for a controlled, slow-acting acid at a lower concentration — light descaling, neutralization of alkaline rinse water — the 30% may be the better fit.
Chemical Profile
Sulfuric Acid 37% is a colorless, oily liquid with no detectable odor at ambient conditions. Its molecular formula is H₂SO₄ (molecular weight 98.08; CAS 7664-93-9). This solution has a specific gravity of 1.28 at 20 °C and weighs approximately 15 lb per gallon. It is fully miscible with water, and dissolution is strongly exothermic — always add acid to water, never the reverse. Vapor pressure is low at room temperature (1 mmHg at approximately 295 °F), so the solution does not fume under normal handling conditions. It is corrosive to metals and to tissue on contact.
Industrial Applications
Lead-Acid Battery Electrolyte. The primary use for 37% sulfuric acid. Battery shops, fleet maintenance operations, and UPS/backup-power service providers use it to fill new cells and replenish electrolyte in flooded lead-acid batteries. The concentration provides the ion density these batteries require for reliable charge and discharge cycles.
pH Control in Water Treatment. Municipal and industrial water treatment plants use sulfuric acid to lower pH in alkaline process streams, cooling-tower blowdown, and wastewater neutralization. At 37%, dosing is straightforward with standard metering pumps and does not require the heated lines or special seals that concentrated acid demands.
Metal Pickling and Surface Preparation. Fabrication and plating shops use dilute sulfuric acid to remove mill scale, oxides, and surface contamination from steel and other ferrous metals before coating, galvanizing, or welding. The 37% concentration provides effective cleaning action with a more controlled etch rate than higher-strength acids.
Chemical Synthesis and Catalysis. Sulfuric acid acts as a proton donor, dehydrating agent, and catalyst in a range of industrial reactions — esterification, alkylation, and fertilizer production among them. The 37% solution is used where the process water content is acceptable or where a less aggressive acid feed is preferred for reactor control.
Handling & Storage
Sulfuric Acid 37% carries a signal word of Danger (per the product's GHS classification). The governing hazard statements are:
- H290: May be corrosive to metals (per the product's GHS classification)
- H314: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage (per the product's GHS classification)
Operators must wear acid-resistant gloves, chemical splash goggles or a full face shield, and a chemical-resistant apron at minimum. Work in a well-ventilated area or under local exhaust. If heating the solution or using it in a confined space, respiratory protection rated for acid mist is required.
Store in tightly closed, corrosion-resistant containers — HDPE or glass are standard — in a cool, dry, ventilated area. Keep away from strong bases, organic materials, and reducing agents. Sulfuric acid reacts violently with water if water is added to concentrated acid; when diluting, always add acid slowly to water with constant stirring. Contact with metals generates hydrogen gas, which is flammable — ensure adequate ventilation and eliminate ignition sources in storage areas.
Hazmat & Shipping
This product is a regulated hazardous material for transport. Our hazmat shipping team classifies, marks, labels, and packages every order in compliance with DOT requirements. The governing transport data:
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UN Number: UN2796 (per 49 CFR 172.101)
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Hazard Class: 8 — Corrosive (per 49 CFR 172.101)
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Packing Group: II (per 49 CFR 172.101)
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Proper Shipping Name: Battery fluid, acid (per 49 CFR 172.101)
All outbound shipments are prepared with the correct UN-rated packaging, hazard labels, and shipping documentation required by 49 CFR.
Documentation
A Safety Data Sheet ships with every order and is available in English, Spanish, French, and Japanese. A lot-specific Certificate of Analysis is available on request, documenting the assay and quality parameters of your specific shipment. A Technical Data Sheet is also available for this product.
Why Buy from Alliance Chemical
This product is offered in eight distinct pack sizes — from a single quart through 330-gallon totes — so you can match the order to your actual consumption rate without overbuying a corrosive material. Every unit ships classified and packaged under UN2796 by our hazmat operations team.
Alliance Chemical has served over 50,000 customers since 1998, operating from our warehouse at 204 S Edmond St, Taylor, Texas 76574. Shipping and handling guidance on this page has been reviewed by Andre Taki, DOT Hazmat Specialist (USDOT Registration #2188383).
