Hearing the word “Acid” automatically shrivels fear within a lot of us, thinking that’s a chemical that’ll eat through our skin. That’s true but, acids of all kinds also have various practical uses in our daily life while carrying the dangers. And it’s no mystery that chemicals are flammable.
Some of the acids are flammable, whereas some aren’t. But, any kind of acid is flammable when it reacts with combustible or flammable chemicals. These reactive chemicals can quickly cause a fire when acid comes in contact with these flammable solvents.
Even though working with acids is dangerous, it doesn’t mean we can’t use them. We almost use acid everywhere in our day-to-day life. But, if you want to learn which acids are flammable and how you today-to-days, then keep reading this article to find out.
We’ll discuss the following:
- What Acids are Used in Our Daily Life?
- How to Safely Use Acid?
Read also: Is Muriatic Acid Flammable?
Is acid flammable or corrosive?
Working with acid sounds like a job for the scientists in the lab. But, it isn’t only a tool to be used in the lab. Rather, it’s used in almost every little aspect of our daily life. Starting from food to making batteries or fertilizers, it has its mark in a lot of our daily affairs.
But it’s also a fact that acids are dangerous chemicals that can penetrate the skin– since it’s corrosive. That alone is enough to tell us how dangerous acids can be.
Along with corrosiveness, some of the acids tend to be flammable, especially when they react with metal.
Acids like sulphuric acid, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, hydriodic acids, butanoic acid, formic acid, etc. can produce a fire due to their flammable characters. These acids are always in use by us in various fields. But they don’t catch fire directly.
The mentioned acids are strong acids that react violently when it meets reducing agents like metals. This scenario happens because metals create hydrogen gas, which is a flammable gas. So when it reacts with water, it generates heat – making it flammable.
Another type of acid can cause a fire when it reacts with a flammable liquid or combustible liquid. Like, adipic acid, picric acid, chromic acid, etc.
These acids can cause potential fire hazards when they react with flammable liquid, like- hydrogen peroxide, sodium peroxide, ammonium nitrate, nitric acid, halogens, etc.
Again, there’re acidic components that have the potential to cause a fire directly, like, acetic acid and pyroligneous acid. These acids have some of the most crucial applications in the fields out there.
But even with these differences, the impact these acids throw on our lives is incomprehensible. As long as acids are used safely or kept away from heating agents, you can easily use acid materials.
What Acids are Used in Our Daily Life?
Acids are chemical substances that taste sour and have a PH level of 0 to 7. Typically acids react with other chemical substances to make a product, which ultimately is used in all aspects of our life.
You’ll be surprised how much acid we use in our life without even knowing. So, let’s take a look at the acids that are used in our daily life.
1. Hydrochloric Acid:
Almost all of us are familiar with this acid. It’s a strong acid that’s found in the gastric juice inside our bodies.
Every single one of us has hydrochloric acid inside our stomachs to break down foods like- potatoes, pizza or burgers, etc. But that’s not the only place where it’s usable. It’s also used in:
- Making pharmaceutical drugs and for the formation of compounds like Polyvinyl Chloride – a tank or house pipe
- Widely known as muriatic acid, it’s actively used in making detergents or cleaning agents
- Used for cleaning sanitary ware or sinks
But, hydrochloric acid or muriatic acid isn’t directly flammable. Instead, when it reacts with metals, it can cause heat and acquire flammability.
2. Citric Acid or Ascorbic Acid:
Citric acids are one of the most important acids that our body craves. This acid is found in fruits like pineapple, oranges, lemons, and other citrus fruits. It used in:
- Boosts the immune system by providing nutrients
- Works as a flavoring agent or acidifier in different manufactured food productions
- In cases of materials, it’s used in destaining the cloth
Citric acid isn’t directly flammable. It’s only flammable when it’s heated to a level where it starts to burn–causing a fire hazard.
3. Acetic Acid:
Acetic acid is a highly flammable and dangerous acid. But the use of acetic acid is impeccable. The most common example is the bottle of vinegar in your fridge. Vinegar is wholly made of acetic acid, which is a popular staple.
Moreover, it’s used as:
- A cleaning agent for products like utensils, floors, windows, et
- To enhance the outlooks of furniture, it’s used to remove stains from these wooden structures
- Works as a preservative for pickles, sauces, and ketchup
- Used as an active ingredient in making acetone, that’s used in making nail polish
Products made of acetic acid can catch fire when it’s heated up to 39°C explosive vapor. The risk of fire is impossible to avoid when it reacts with strong oxidants.
4. Sulphuric Acid:
Sulphuric acid can quickly create flames when it reacts with metallic components. It has its dangers and cautions, but it’s also used widely in various places. Like:
- In manufacturing paints, detergents, fertilizers, and artificial fiber
- In the production or storage of batteries
- In the production of alum and hydrochloric acid
- In removing oxide coatings from steel and iron
Sulphuric acid is extremely lethal and can eat your skin. Not to mention, it’s flammable when it reacts with metals.
5. Tartaric Acid:
Tartaric acid is used in many food industries as additives or as a food flavor. It’s also a component of baking powder.
It’s only flammable when in high temperatures, like a heated cup of 471°F or 210°C.
6. Nitric Acid:
Nitric acid is another important acid that we encounter in our life. Some of its common uses are:
- The active ingredient in manufacturing fertilizers like ammonium nitrate
- In Making explosives like TNT or dynamite
- Forms nitrates in the soil and feeds nutrients to the plants.
7. Pyroligneous Acid:
This acid is used widely in the production of deodorants, sterilizing agents, antimicrobials, and fertilizers.
Despite its uses, it’s highly flammable and quickly causes a flash fire when it comes across sparks, heat, or flames.
You might also like: Is Nitrogen Explosive Or Flammable?
How to Safely Use Acid?
It’s not a mystery anymore that acids are dangerous, toxic, and corrosive that can cause severe burns or cause a fire.
So, it’s essential to maintain safety measures when it comes to using or storing it. Because then, you’ll be safe and away from facing any fire hazards.
On that note, here’s how you can safely store acid:-
- If working with acids in the lab, use goggles, gloves, appreciate dress to avoid contact with skin.
- The shelves used to store products with these acids must be ventilated and have enough air to move in and out.
- Cabinets storing these acids should be made up of corrosion-resistant materials to avoid property damage.
- Always use acids in a diluted form by mixing it with water.
- Use a precise amount of acid and always mix it with a base to neutralize it. So, it’s not flammable anymore.
- Never let the acids come across flammable or combustible liquids to avoid flammability.
- Separate acids from active metals, oxidizing agents and gas compounds
- Transport acid in acid manageable containers.
- Always read the labels of the acid infused products.
Acid can throw a big impact when it comes to making industrial products or making food. Be it cleaning agents, foods, or fertilizers, the importance and use of acids don’t end.
Thus, it’s crucial to know the dangers it possesses. Like, Are acids combustible?, or is it corrosive or not hence, why I’ve broken down the facts about how acids can be flammable and contain fire hazards,
so that, you’re cautious enough when you use these acids next time.