Product Overview
Sulfuric Acid 93% Technical Grade is a concentrated, highly corrosive mineral acid used across heavy industry — from battery manufacturing and chemical synthesis to water treatment and metal processing. At 93% concentration, this is near the upper end of commercially handled sulfuric acid, delivering strong dehydrating and acidifying power in a dense, oily liquid form.
This product is classified as a DOT hazmat material (UN1830, Class 8, Packing Group II) and carries the GHS signal word Danger (per the product's GHS classification). It is offered in pack sizes from individual quarts up to 330-gallon totes, serving bench-scale testing through full production volumes.
Why This Concentration
At 93%, this sulfuric acid sits well above the mid-range concentrations used in dilute process work and just below the 96%+ tier typically specified for analytical or reagent applications. That positioning matters for procurement.
If your process calls for concentrated acid — esterification catalysis, aggressive pH knockdown in high-alkalinity wastewater, or feedstock dilution to battery-grade electrolyte — 93% delivers the reactivity without the tighter handling envelope of fuming grades. It mixes with water in all proportions, but the dilution reaction is violently exothermic: always add acid to water, never the reverse.
For buyers whose downstream process needs a lower strength, Alliance Chemical also offers Sulfuric Acid 70%, Sulfuric Acid 50% Electrolyte Grade, Sulfuric Acid 37% Battery Acid, and Sulfuric Acid 30% — each matched to different dilution and handling requirements. If your specification calls for analytical-grade purity, see Sulfuric Acid 96% ACS Grade.
Chemical Profile
Sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄, CAS 7664-93-9, molecular weight 98.08) is a colorless, oily liquid that is odorless under normal conditions. This 93% w/w solution has a density of 1.835 at 16 °C — roughly 15 lb per gallon — making it noticeably heavier than water. It is fully miscible with water, dissolving in all proportions with significant heat release. Vapor pressure is low at ambient temperatures (1 mmHg at 294.8 °F), meaning it does not readily volatilize under standard warehouse conditions. The liquid is corrosive to most metals and will char wood and organic matter on contact.
Industrial Applications
Sulfuric acid at this concentration serves as a workhorse reagent across multiple sectors:
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Lead-Acid Battery Electrolyte. Concentrated sulfuric acid is the starting material for battery electrolyte. Manufacturers dilute it to the target specific gravity for wet-cell batteries. The 37% Battery Acid formulation is the ready-to-use electrolyte strength, but many battery producers prefer to purchase concentrated acid and dilute on-site for tighter quality control over the final gravity.
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Chemical Synthesis. Sulfuric acid drives the production of fertilizers (superphosphate, ammonium sulfate), detergent intermediates, and a wide range of sulfate salts. At 93%, the acid is concentrated enough to act as both a reactant and a dehydrating agent in these processes.
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pH Adjustment in Water Treatment. Municipal and industrial wastewater plants use concentrated sulfuric acid to neutralize alkaline process streams. The high concentration means lower dosing volumes and smaller chemical storage footprints compared to dilute grades.
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Dehydrating Agent. The strong affinity of concentrated sulfuric acid for water makes it effective in drying gases, removing water from organic reaction mixtures, and preparing anhydrous intermediates.
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Esterification Catalyst. In organic manufacturing, sulfuric acid catalyzes the reaction of alcohols with carboxylic acids to form esters — a key step in producing solvents, plasticizers, and specialty intermediates.
Handling & Storage
Sulfuric acid 93% carries the signal word Danger 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. Use a rubber or PVC apron and acid-resistant boots. Work only in well-ventilated areas or under local exhaust; although vapor pressure is low at room temperature, misting during transfer can produce irritating aerosol.
Store in closed, corrosion-resistant containers — HDPE drums, lined steel, or borosilicate glass for smaller volumes. Keep away from metals, organic materials, strong bases, and oxidizers. Heat accelerates corrosion and can generate hazardous fumes. Long-term exposure to low concentrations or short-term exposure to high concentrations can cause adverse health effects from inhalation. Consult the product SDS for full exposure limits and emergency procedures.
Hazmat & Shipping
This product is regulated for transport as a hazardous material. The DOT classification governs how every shipment is packaged, labeled, and documented from our dock to yours:
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UN Number: UN1830 (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: Sulfuric acid (per 49 CFR 172.101)
All shipments are prepared, marked, and placarded by trained hazmat personnel in accordance with 49 CFR. Shipping papers accompany every hazmat consignment as required by regulation.
Documentation
A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) ships with every order, available in English, Spanish, French, and Japanese. A Technical Data Sheet (TDS) with product specifications is available on request. Lot-specific Certificates of Analysis (COA) are available for buyers who need to verify incoming material against their own QC requirements.
Why Buy from Alliance Chemical
Sulfuric acid 93% is available to order from quarts through 330-gallon bulk totes — the full range packaged and documented under one account, with SDS and COA provided for every lot. Alliance Chemical has operated as a hazmat chemical distributor since 1998, serving over 50,000 customers from our warehouse in Taylor, Texas. Shipping and handling guidance on this page is reviewed by Andre Taki, DOT Hazmat Specialist.
