Industrial grade 98% 99% Ferric chloride hexahydrate CAS 10025-77-1

 What is Ferric chloride hexahydrate?

Ferric chloride hexahydrate, also known as ferric chloride hexahydrate or ferric chloride hexahydrate (ferric chloride), is the most common hydrated crystalline form of ferric chloride. Its chemical formula is usually written as:

FeCl3·6H2O (CAS No.: 10025-77-1, molecular weight approximately 270.30)

It is a yellowish-brown or orange-yellow crystalline or lumpy solid at room temperature, odorless but with a slightly astringent taste, with a density of approximately 1.82 g/cm³, a melting point of only about 37℃ (it will dissolve in its own water of crystallization), and a boiling point of approximately 280~285℃. It is extremely soluble in water (approximately 246 grams dissolve in 100 grams of water at 0℃, with even greater solubility in warm water), and also readily soluble in solvents such as ethanol, acetone, and ether. Dissolving releases a large amount of heat, and its aqueous solution is strongly acidic.

Compositionally, ferric chloride hexahydrate consists of one ferric ion (Fe3+), three chloride ions (Cl-), and six water molecules of crystallization. Ferric ions readily hydrolyze in water, forming polynuclear hydroxyl complexes and flocculent ferric hydroxide precipitates—this characteristic makes it the most classic iron salt coagulant in the field of water treatment; the oxidizing properties of ferric ions endow it with the ability to etch metals and act as an oxidizing agent.

Chemically, ferric chloride hexahydrate is extremely hygroscopic, deliquescing into a reddish-brown liquid in humid air. Its strongly acidic aqueous solution can coagulate proteins, reacts with metals (such as copper and iron) to undergo oxidative dissolution, and reacts with alkalis to form ferric hydroxide precipitate. Due to its extreme deliquescence, it must be stored in a sealed, moisture-proof container.

Industrial-grade ferric chloride hexahydrate refers to products primarily intended for industrial production and water treatment applications. Compared to reagent-grade and other specifications, industrial-grade products place greater emphasis on the following indicators:

Main content

The main content (calculated as FeCl3) of solid products is generally required to be above 96%, while the concentration of liquid products is configured according to the application scenario, which directly affects the treatment effect and dosage calculation.

Free acid

Residual free hydrochloric acid affects the added pH and storage stability, and must be controlled within a reasonable range to avoid excessive corrosion of equipment.

Water-insoluble matter

Water-insoluble matter can reduce coagulation efficiency and cause blockages in pipes and equipment, so it needs to be kept at a low level.

Ferrous content

Ferrous ions (Fe2+) can affect coagulation and etching performance, and their content needs to be controlled to ensure product quality.

Heavy metal impurities (arsenic, lead, etc.)

Products used for drinking water treatment have strict limits on heavy metal impurities and must meet the safety standards for drinking water treatment agents.

What are the uses of industrial-grade Ferric chloride hexahydrate?

1. Water treatment (core application)

Ferric chloride is one of the most commonly used iron salt coagulants, widely used in drinking water and industrial water purification, municipal and industrial wastewater treatment, sludge dewatering , swimming pool circulating water, and landscape water purification. It is easily soluble in water, produces large and heavy flocs, forms denser flocs than aluminum salts, has good sedimentation properties, and can effectively remove phosphorus, decolorize, remove heavy metals and some organic matter, reducing effluent COD and BOD.

2. Printed Circuit Boards and Metal Etching

Ferric chloride is one of the most commonly used etching agents in PCB manufacturing. Its acidic solution reacts with copper in a redox reaction to produce soluble copper chloride, thereby precisely etching circuit patterns. It can also be used for gravure printing plate making, metal etching art and crafts production .

3. Catalysts and Oxidants

Ferric chloride can be used as a strong Lewis acid catalyst and oxidant in a variety of organic synthesis reactions to improve reaction efficiency and selectivity. It is a commonly used catalytic/oxidizing agent in the fields of organic chemical engineering and fine chemical engineering.

4. Iron salt and pigment manufacturing

Ferric chloride is the basic raw material for manufacturing iron-based pigments such as iron oxide red and iron oxide yellow, as well as other iron salt products. Iron-based pigments are widely used in coloring fields such as coatings, building materials, ceramics, and plastics.

5. Metallurgy and Metal Surface Treatment

Ferric chloride can be used as a chlorinating agent in the metallurgical industry for the chlorination extraction and recovery of metals; it can also be used for rust removal, corrosion processing and protective treatment of metal surfaces.

6. Other Applications

Its applications extend to areas including oxidants and mordants in the dye industry, analytical chemical reagents, and laboratory applications, and its scope continues to expand.

Summarize

Ferric chloride hexahydrate, or ferric chloride hexahydrate, is a yellowish-brown, highly hygroscopic, and readily soluble iron salt, and is the most commonly used type of iron salt coagulant. In daily life, we indirectly encounter it through tap water purification, sewage treatment, PCB etching in electronic products, printing etching, iron-based pigments, and swimming pool water treatment. In industry, industrial-grade ferric chloride hexahydrate is widely used as a coagulant and phosphorus removal agent in drinking water and sewage treatment, as a PCB and metal etching agent, a catalyst and oxidant in organic synthesis, a raw material for iron-based pigments and iron salt manufacturing, and a metallurgical chlorinating agent. It is an important inorganic chemical bridging "daily use" and "water treatment, electronics, and chemicals."