Ammonium Bifluoride, Extra Pure

Ammonium Bifluoride (NH₄HF₂) is a highly reactive inorganic salt that is used industrially, analytically, and in the laboratory and is valued for its fluoride delivery, cleaning, and etching qualities. Sold in extra pure form, the white crystalline substance is hygroscopic and highly soluble in water to produce a weakly acidic solution that yields hydrogen fluoride (HF) in solution.

In the lab, Ammonium Bifluoride is usually used as an alternative to hydrofluoric acid due to the relatively safer handling environment. It is used in glass etching, metal processes, and ceramic cleaning, where it acts on silica and silicate residues to form a clean, smooth surface. It is hence a required ingredient used in preparing laboratory glassware, electronic devices, and precision equipment.

The compound finds application in analytical chemistry to digest siliceous material and for the preparation of metal cleaner and pickling solution. To cut intricate matrices for trace element analysis in mineral analysis and metallography, it is employed. With its fluoride content, it allows controlled and efficient surface modification procedures in industrial and research applications.

Ammonium Bifluoride finds application in the production of compounds containing fluorine and in the leather and textile industries as a fixative for dyes and pH control. It is also applied in petroleum refining as a component that also serves as a catalyst and an anti-corrosion agent.

Due to its toxic and corrosive properties, it is handled under strict safety protocols with, for instance, personal protective gear and storage in fluoropolymer-lined or compatible plastic. The extra-pure grade offers performance in high-precision applications, wherein results free of contaminants are sought.

Ammonium Bifluoride is a key material in a range of material sciences, including surface technology and advanced analytical processes, with a safe and effective alternative to toxic acids in speciality etching and surface cleaning processes.