Product Overview
Sulfuric Acid 70% is a reagent-grade strong acid available from Alliance Chemical in pack sizes from 1 quart to 330-gallon totes. At this concentration the solution delivers aggressive reactivity for industrial chemical processes while remaining manageable for operators trained in corrosive-liquid handling. It carries a "Danger" signal word and three hazard statements including H350 — May cause cancer (per the product's GHS classification).
This product serves chemical manufacturers running synthesis reactions, water-treatment facilities adjusting pH, battery shops preparing electrolyte, and laboratories performing dehydration or catalysis work. The reagent designation signals a grade selected for analytical and process-critical applications where impurity control matters to the outcome.
Why This Concentration
Seventy percent sulfuric acid occupies a practical middle ground in the concentration range. Compared to Sulfuric Acid 30% or Sulfuric Acid 37% Battery Acid, the 70% solution provides significantly higher acid strength per unit volume — smaller charge volumes, faster reaction kinetics, and less water introduced to moisture-sensitive processes. A buyer running pH adjustment on alkaline wastewater, for instance, can meter a smaller dose and use a smaller pump compared to a dilute grade.
Compared to Sulfuric Acid 93% Technical Grade or Sulfuric Acid 96% ACS Grade, the 70% concentration generates less heat on dilution and poses a lower fuming risk, which simplifies ventilation requirements in enclosed facilities. For operations whose process tolerates the additional water fraction, handling is more forgiving without sacrificing the strong-acid character needed for industrial use.
If your application specifically requires an electrolyte-grade formulation — for example, lead-acid battery manufacturing to a defined specific gravity — consider Sulfuric Acid 50% Electrolyte Grade, which is purpose-designated for that service.
Chemical Profile
Sulfuric Acid 70% is a colorless, oily liquid with no detectable odor. Its molecular formula is H₂SO₄ (CAS 7664-93-9, molecular weight 98.08 g/mol). The 70% w/w aqueous solution has a density of 1.61 at 20 °C — roughly 15 lb per gal — making it noticeably heavier than water and important to account for when calculating vessel loading and transport weight. The solution is fully miscible with water, and dissolution is strongly exothermic: acid is always added to water, never the reverse. Vapor pressure is low at ambient temperature (1 mmHg at 294.8 °F), so off-gassing under normal storage conditions is minimal. The liquid is corrosive to most common metals and will char wood and other organic matter on contact.
Industrial Applications
Sulfuric acid at 70% concentration is a workhorse reagent across multiple industrial sectors:
-
Chemical Synthesis. Sulfuric acid serves as a primary reagent and proton donor in the production of fertilizers, dyes, detergents, and other downstream chemicals. The 70% concentration provides high acid normality per unit volume, reducing batch sizes in large-scale manufacturing.
-
Lead-Acid Battery Electrolyte. Diluted to working concentration, sulfuric acid functions as the electrolyte in lead-acid batteries for automotive, backup-power, and industrial energy-storage systems. Buyers in this space typically dilute from a concentrated stock to their target specific gravity.
-
pH Adjustment in Water Treatment. Municipal and industrial water-treatment operators use sulfuric acid to lower pH in alkaline wastewater streams. The 70% concentration allows precise dosing with smaller metering equipment compared to more dilute solutions.
-
Catalyst in Organic Reactions. In pharmaceutical and fine-chemical manufacturing, sulfuric acid acts as an acid catalyst for esterification, alkylation, and other organic transformations where a strong acid environment drives the reaction forward.
-
Dehydrating Agent. Laboratories and process operations use sulfuric acid to remove water from organic compounds or to dry gas streams. Its strong affinity for water makes it effective in desiccation columns and drying trains.
Handling & Storage
Sulfuric Acid 70% carries a "Danger" signal word with the following hazard statements (per the product's GHS classification):
- H290 — May be corrosive to metals
- H314 — Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
- H350 — May cause cancer
Operators must wear acid-resistant gloves, chemical splash goggles, and a face shield when handling this product. Use in a well-ventilated area or under local exhaust to control acid mist. A chemical-resistant apron and closed-toe footwear are standard for transfer and dispensing operations.
Store in corrosion-resistant containers — HDPE or glass for smaller volumes, lined steel or HDPE drums and totes for bulk quantities. Keep containers tightly closed in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from strong bases, organic materials, and reducing agents. Sulfuric acid reacts violently with water when water is added to acid; always add acid to water slowly with stirring. Neutralization materials such as soda ash or lime should be staged within reach of any handling area.
Hazmat & Shipping
Sulfuric Acid 70% is regulated as a hazardous material for transport. The governed classification details, reviewed by Andre Taki, DOT Hazmat Specialist:
-
UN Number: UN1830 (per 49 CFR 172.101)
-
Hazard Class: 8 — Corrosive (per 49 CFR 172.101)
-
Packing Group: II (per 49 CFR 172.101)
-
Proper Shipping Name: Sulfuric acid (per 49 CFR 172.101)
All hazmat shipments from Alliance Chemical's Taylor, TX facility include required shipping documentation, placarding, and packaging that meets the Class 8 / PG II classification. Pack sizes range from 1-quart bottles through 330-gallon totes — packaging is rated for the regulated hazard class.
Documentation
A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) ships with every order and is available in English, Spanish, French, and Japanese. Lot-specific Certificates of Analysis (COA) are available on request, documenting the analytical results for your specific shipment. A Technical Data Sheet (TDS) is also on file for buyers who need detailed product specifications beyond the SDS.
Why Buy from Alliance Chemical
This product ships in DOT-compliant hazmat packaging across the full range — from a single quart for bench-scale trials to 330-gallon totes for continuous industrial use — with SDS documentation included in four languages and lot-specific COA available on request. Alliance Chemical has distributed hazmat chemicals since 1998, serving over 50,000 business customers from our warehouse in Taylor, Texas. Shipping and handling guidance on this page has been reviewed by Andre Taki, DOT Hazmat Specialist.
