Phosphoric Acid CAS 7664-38-2: Uses, Specifications, and Purchasing Guide

18, Aug. 2026

 

Phosphoric Acid CAS 7664-38-2: Uses, Specifications, and Purchasing Guide

Phosphoric acid CAS 7664-38-2 is an inorganic acid with the chemical formula H3PO4. I typically see it supplied as an aqueous solution, with commercial concentrations commonly specified around 75–85 wt%, although the correct grade depends on the application and regulatory requirements. Buyers use it mainly for phosphate production, food acidification, metal surface treatment, water-treatment chemistry, detergents, and industrial cleaning.

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At Yuking, I recommend evaluating phosphoric acid by concentration, purity, application grade, packaging, documentation, and transport requirements rather than purchasing by CAS number alone. The CAS number identifies the substance, but it does not define whether a product is suitable for food, technical, fertilizer, or high-purity use. This guide explains the key specifications and purchasing decisions I would review before placing a B2B order.

Quick Summary for Buyers

  • Phosphoric acid CAS 7664-38-2 is H3PO4, with a molecular weight of 97.99 g/mol.
  • Common commercial liquid grades are often offered at approximately 75–85 wt% concentration, subject to the supplier’s specification.
  • Its main functions include acidification, phosphate formation, pH adjustment, chelation support, and metal-surface treatment.
  • Selection should be based on end use, impurity limits, concentration, packaging, SDS documentation, and delivery conditions.
  • Concentrated solutions require appropriate chemical handling, corrosion-resistant equipment, and a current safety data sheet.

1. What Is Phosphoric Acid CAS 7664-38-2?

Phosphoric acid is a phosphorus-containing mineral acid identified by CAS 7664-38-2. In commercial supply, it is usually handled as a liquid solution rather than as an isolated pure substance, because water content and concentration directly affect viscosity, density, crystallization behavior, and application performance. The molecular weight of phosphoric acid is 97.99 g/mol, which is useful when calculating formulation quantities or converting between molar and mass-based specifications.

The product is generally clear or nearly clear, but exact appearance can vary with grade, concentration, impurities, and storage history. Concentrated phosphoric acid is corrosive and can cause serious damage to skin and eyes, so I advise buyers to review the supplier’s SDS before approving storage, handling, and transportation procedures. Product classification and labeling should be confirmed for the specific concentration and destination market.

2. Core Functions and Common Uses

Acidification and pH Adjustment

Phosphoric acid provides controlled acidity in industrial formulations and food-processing applications. In food use, it is commonly associated with acidification and sourness regulation, but the permitted application, purity, labeling, and maximum use level must be verified against the regulations of the destination market. I would not recommend using a technical grade in food or beverage production without documented suitability for that purpose.

Phosphate Production

One of the largest industrial roles of phosphoric acid is the manufacture of phosphate salts and phosphate-based products. It may be used as a raw material for fertilizer intermediates, water-treatment chemicals, detergents, and other formulated products. The required grade depends on the impurity profile, especially limits for metals, fluoride, sulfate, chloride, and organic residues.

Metal Surface Treatment

Phosphoric acid can participate in rust removal, metal cleaning, and phosphate conversion processes. Its role is to react with surface oxides or support the formation of phosphate-containing surface layers, depending on the formulation and process conditions. Performance depends on acid concentration, contact time, temperature, metal type, additives, rinsing, and downstream coating requirements, so a small application trial is advisable.

Industrial Cleaning and Water Treatment

Some industrial cleaners use phosphoric acid to dissolve mineral deposits and adjust formulation acidity. It can also be included in water-treatment or process-chemical systems where phosphate chemistry is required. These uses must be designed around local discharge rules, corrosion control, and the full composition of the formulation rather than the acid alone.

3. Types, Grades, and Material Options

Buyers should distinguish between concentration and grade. A 75 wt% solution and an 85 wt% solution are not interchangeable in every process because the water content changes dosing calculations, handling behavior, storage requirements, and final formulation balance. The supplier should state concentration on the product specification or certificate of analysis.

Product category Typical buyer requirement Key verification point
Technical or industrial grade Cleaning, metal treatment, process chemistry Impurity limits and compatibility with equipment
Fertilizer or phosphate-intermediate grade Phosphate salt and fertilizer production Phosphorus content, acidity, and process impurities
Food or regulated application grade Food acidification and approved formulations Applicable purity, documentation, and destination regulations
High-purity or specialized grade Applications with strict trace-metal or ionic limits Detailed analytical specification and batch consistency

Packaging is another material option that affects the purchasing decision. Depending on the supplier and market, phosphoric acid may be offered in smaller drums, approximately 20–25 kg, or in bulk containers such as approximately 1,000 kg IBCs; actual pack sizes must be confirmed before ordering. For larger consumption, bulk delivery may reduce packaging waste, while drums or IBCs can provide more flexibility for intermittent production.

4. Key Specifications to Request

I recommend requesting a complete technical data sheet and a recent certificate of analysis before comparing quotations. The most important items usually include concentration, appearance, density, free acidity, phosphate content, and limits for relevant impurities. If the product will enter a regulated formulation, the buyer should also request the documents required by the applicable market and end-use rules.

Concentration and Physical Properties

Concentration should be expressed clearly, such as a defined percentage by mass, with an acceptable tolerance. Density and viscosity can help the buyer design pumps, meters, storage tanks, and dosing systems, but these values may vary with temperature and concentration. I advise confirming the test method and reference temperature when physical properties are important to production control.

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Impurity Profile and Consistency

For technical applications, acceptable impurity limits may be more important than maximum nominal concentration. Buyers should identify whether iron, heavy metals, fluoride, sulfate, chloride, arsenic, or other contaminants could affect the process or final product. A supplier that can provide batch-specific analysis and a defined specification gives the buyer a stronger basis for quality control.

5. How to Select the Right Product

I use a simple selection framework: define the application, identify the required grade, establish the concentration, determine the impurity limits, and confirm the supply format. The buyer should also calculate the actual acid requirement in the finished process, because purchasing a higher concentration does not automatically reduce total operating cost. Equipment compatibility, worker safety, and waste handling should be reviewed at the same time.

  1. Define the end use: State whether the material is for food, fertilizer, metal treatment, cleaning, water treatment, or another industrial process.
  2. Set the specification: Confirm concentration, appearance, density, acidity, and critical impurity limits.
  3. Review compliance documents: Request the SDS, technical data sheet, certificate of analysis, and any end-use documentation that applies.
  4. Match packaging to consumption: Select drums, IBCs, or bulk delivery according to monthly demand and storage capacity.
  5. Validate the process: Conduct a controlled trial when changing concentration, supplier, or grade.

6. Handling, Storage, and Purchasing Risks

Phosphoric acid solutions should be stored in containers and transfer systems that are confirmed compatible with the product concentration and operating conditions. Buyers should not assume that ordinary metal tanks, pumps, or fittings are suitable, because corrosion behavior depends on material, concentration, temperature, impurities, and exposure time. The SDS and equipment supplier should guide the final material-selection decision.

Common purchasing mistakes include comparing quotations with different concentrations, overlooking impurity limits, treating technical grade as automatically suitable for regulated use, and failing to check packaging condition. Another risk is ordering without confirming the destination-country transport classification or import documentation. I recommend using a written specification sheet so that every supplier quotes the same product requirements.

7. Pricing, MOQ, and Lead-Time Considerations

The price of phosphoric acid can change according to concentration, raw-material conditions, production route, grade, packaging, order quantity, and delivery destination. A lower price per metric ton may not represent a lower total cost if the product has a different concentration or requires additional handling and quality testing. Buyers should compare the cost per unit of active phosphoric acid and include freight, packaging, duties, storage, and testing.

Minimum order quantity and lead time vary by supplier, pack size, production schedule, and export route. Stock products may be available faster, while customized impurity limits or specialized documentation may require additional review. When requesting a quotation, I suggest providing the target quantity, annual demand, packaging preference, destination port, required documents, and expected delivery window.

8. How to Evaluate a Supplier

Technical Capability

A capable supplier should be able to explain the difference between available concentrations and grades, identify relevant impurity controls, and provide consistent batch documentation. At Yuking, I would begin by matching the product specification to the buyer’s process instead of recommending a generic CAS-number product. This approach helps reduce the risk of an unsuitable grade being used in production.

Commercial and Export Support

For international purchasing, the supplier should clearly communicate packaging, labeling, SDS availability, certificate of analysis, shipping terms, and document requirements. Buyers should also confirm whether the quoted price covers export packing, inland transportation, port handling, or other charges. A detailed quotation makes supplier comparisons more reliable and helps prevent avoidable delays.

9. Next Steps for Buyers

Before requesting a final quotation, prepare a short purchasing brief that includes the application, required concentration, monthly or annual volume, packaging, destination, and critical impurity limits. If you are replacing an existing supplier, include the current specification and any process problems that must be avoided. This information allows the supplier to recommend a closer technical and commercial match.

Yuking can support B2B buyers with product-selection discussions, specification review, packaging coordination, export documentation, and quotation preparation for phosphoric acid CAS 7664-38-2. Send us your target grade, quantity, destination, and intended use so we can assess the appropriate supply option. The most reliable purchase is one based on a confirmed specification, documented quality, and a delivery plan that fits your production requirements.

Conclusion

Phosphoric acid CAS 7664-38-2 is a versatile industrial acid used in phosphate production, acidification, metal treatment, cleaning, water-treatment chemistry, and other formulations. The right product is not selected by CAS number alone; concentration, grade, impurity profile, packaging, documentation, and equipment compatibility all matter. I recommend defining the application first, confirming the required specification, comparing total delivered cost, and validating the material before full-scale adoption.

For a practical next step, prepare your end-use and purchasing details and request a specification-based quotation. Yuking can help you review the technical requirements and identify a suitable phosphoric acid supply option for your market and process.

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