Ferric Chloride Liquid

Ferric Chloride Supplier

Ferric Chloride (FeCl₃), also known as iron(III) chloride, is a powerful inorganic coagulant and etchant prized for its rapid floc formation, phosphorus removal capabilities, and versatility across water clarification and metal treatment applications. As one of the most effective coagulants available, it rapidly destabilizes suspended particles and produces dense, settleable floc across a broad range of water chemistry conditions. With more than 75 years of experience as a pioneering innovator, Alexander Chemical supplies top-quality Ferric Chloride in liquid form, backed by expert technical guidance and reliable bulk delivery services. Safety and compliance are our top priorities.

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Key Characteristics of Ferric Chloride

Chemical Properties

  • Ferric Chloride Formula: FeCl₃
  • Appearance: Dark reddish-brown liquid (typically 38–42% solution)
  • Odor: Mild, slightly acidic
  • Solubility: Highly soluble in water
  • pH (solution): Strongly acidic (pH 1–2)
  • Molecular Weight: 162.2 g/mol (anhydrous)

Storage & Handling Requirements

  • Store in fiberglass, HDPE, or rubber-lined tanks — avoid all metal contact
  • Keep away from strong bases and alkali metals
  • Provide secondary containment due to high corrosivity to metals

Ferric Chloride is a hazardous material. Highly corrosive to most metals — contact with aluminum, steel, iron, zinc, copper, or brass can liberate flammable hydrogen gas. Violent or explosive reaction with alkali metals. Mishandling can lead to serious safety and environmental risks. Always rely on certified professionals for storage, handling, and transportation.

What are the Uses of Ferric Chloride?

Ferric Chloride is one of the most widely used inorganic coagulants in water and wastewater treatment. Its strong positive charge and ability to form dense, fast-settling floc make it indispensable across municipal and industrial applications.

Water & Wastewater Treatment

Ferric Chloride is widely used as a coagulant in municipal drinking water treatment and industrial wastewater clarification. It effectively removes turbidity, suspended solids, color, and phosphorus, producing clear effluent that meets regulatory standards. It is also particularly effective for sludge dewatering, reducing the volume and improving the handling of biosolids.

Phosphorus Removal

One of the most important applications of ferric chloride in modern wastewater treatment is the chemical precipitation of phosphorus. It reacts with dissolved phosphate ions to form insoluble ferric phosphate, which settles out of solution. This process is critical for controlling nutrient loading in waterways and preventing harmful algae blooms.

Printed Circuit Board Etching

Ferric Chloride has long been the preferred etchant in the electronics industry for producing printed circuit boards (PCBs). It selectively dissolves exposed copper on PCB substrates, creating the precise conductive pathways that power modern electronic devices.

Metal Surface Treatment

In metal finishing and surface treatment, ferric chloride is used to etch, clean, and prepare metal surfaces prior to plating, coating, or bonding. It is used on copper, silver, and certain alloys for decorative and functional metalwork.

Other Industrial Applications

  • Stormwater management and combined sewer overflow treatment
  • Odor control in wastewater collection systems
  • Pigment production
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Bulk Ferric Chloride Delivery & Support Services

The professionals at Alexander Chemical bring decades of experience and expertise to managing Ferric Chloride with precision and care. We supply and deliver to municipal utilities, industrial facilities, and specialty operations across the country.

What We Offer

  • Supplying and delivering Ferric Chloride in bulk tankers, totes, or drums tailored to your specific requirements
  • On-site technical support for optimal dosing and application
  • Regulatory compliance guidance and safety training
  • Regular tank inspections and maintenance recommendations
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A Brief History of Ferric Chloride

Ferric chloride has been produced industrially since the 19th century, initially as a byproduct of steel pickling and chlorination processes. Its earliest uses were in textile dyeing and as an etching agent in printmaking and engraving. As urban water infrastructure expanded in the first half of the 20th century, ferric chloride gained recognition as a highly effective coagulant for municipal water and wastewater treatment. Following World War II, rapid industrialization and tightening environmental regulations drove its widespread adoption globally. Today it is one of the most widely used coagulants in the world, valued for its performance across a broad range of water chemistry conditions and its cost efficiency relative to alternatives.

Ferric Chloride Facts

  • Blood of the Etching World: Ferric chloride has been called the workhorse etchant of the electronics industry — it is the chemical most responsible for creating the intricate copper circuitry on the printed circuit boards that power the devices we use every day.
  • Instant Clarification: When dosed into murky wastewater, ferric chloride can produce visible clarification in minutes — binding suspended particles into dense floc that rapidly settles to the bottom of treatment tanks.
  • Phosphorus Fighter: Ferric chloride is one of the most reliable chemical tools for phosphorus removal from wastewater — a critical function for protecting lakes, rivers, and coastal ecosystems from eutrophication and harmful algae growth.
  • Color Remover: Beyond turbidity, ferric chloride is exceptionally effective at removing color from water — making it valuable in treating tannery effluent, pulp mill wastewater, and other highly colored industrial streams.
  • Cold-Water Performer: Unlike some coagulants that lose effectiveness at low temperatures, ferric chloride maintains strong coagulation performance in cold water — an important advantage for treatment plants in northern climates.

Frequently Asked Questions about FeCl₃

Ferric chloride is an inorganic iron salt with the formula FeCl₃. It is typically supplied as a dark reddish-brown liquid solution (38–42% concentration) and is one of the most widely used coagulants in water and wastewater treatment. It is also used as an etchant in electronics manufacturing and in metal surface treatment.

The most common industrial use of ferric chloride is as a coagulant in municipal drinking water treatment and industrial wastewater systems, where it removes turbidity, suspended solids, phosphorus, and color. It is also widely used for printed circuit board etching, metal surface treatment, sludge dewatering, and phosphorus precipitation.

Ferric chloride acts as both a strong acid and an oxidizing agent, making it highly corrosive to most common metals including aluminum, steel, iron, zinc, copper, and brass. Contact with these metals can dissolve them and in some cases produce flammable hydrogen gas. Compatible storage materials include fiberglass, HDPE, and rubber-lined equipment.

Both are widely used inorganic coagulants, but ferric chloride tends to produce denser floc and performs well across a broader pH range, including in colder water. It is also more effective for phosphorus removal. Alum is generally preferred where iron residuals in treated water are a concern or where a lighter floc is needed.

Yes. When dosed correctly and used in accordance with NSF/ANSI 60 standards, ferric chloride is safe and effective for producing clear, safe drinking water. It is one of the most widely approved coagulants for potable water applications globally.

Alexander Chemical delivers ferric chloride via bulk tankers, intermediate bulk containers (totes), and drums based on your volume and site requirements. All deliveries are handled through Circle Transport, our dedicated logistics partner.

Ferric chloride should be stored in fiberglass, HDPE, or rubber-lined tanks. It must not contact metal tanks, fittings, or piping, as it will corrode them. Keep away from strong bases and alkali metals. Alexander Chemical provides tank inspection and maintenance support as part of our delivery and compliance services.

Ferric chloride is used in municipal water and wastewater treatment, electronics manufacturing (PCB etching), metal finishing and surface treatment, industrial wastewater treatment, stormwater management, and pigment production.

Ammonium hydroxide is used across a wide range of industries including municipal water and wastewater treatment, agriculture and fertilizer production, industrial and household cleaning, chemical manufacturing, food processing, textile manufacturing, electronics (PCB etching), rubber production, and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Alexander Chemical supplies bulk ferric chloride with nationwide delivery. Contact our team to discuss your volume requirements, delivery schedule, and pricing.

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