Hydrofluoric acid

Uses

Hydrofluoric acid's ability to dissolve oxides makes it important in the purification of both aluminium and uranium. It is also used to etch glass, to remove surface oxides from silicon in the semiconductor industry, as a catalyst for the alkylation of iso-butane and butene in oil refineries and to remove oxide impurities from stainless steel in a process called pickling. Hydrofluoric acid is also used to clean brickwork. Due to its ability to dissolve silicate compounds, hydrofluoric acid is often used during the rock and mineral analysis process to dissolve rock samples (usually powdered) prior to analysis.

Related Topics:
Aluminium - Uranium - Glass - Silicon - Semiconductor - Oil refineries - Stainless steel

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Hydrofluoric acid is also used in the synthesis of many fluorine-containing organic compounds, including teflon and refrigerants such as freon.

Related Topics:
Fluorine - Teflon - Refrigerants - Freon

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