What Is CAS 7664-38-2? Phosphoric Acid Uses and Specifications

15, Sep. 2026

 

What Is CAS 7664-38-2? Phosphoric Acid Uses and Specifications

CAS 7664-38-2 is phosphoric acid, an inorganic acid with the chemical formula H3PO4. Its relative molecular mass is approximately 97.99 g/mol, and it is commonly supplied as a clear, colorless liquid in water-based commercial grades. At Yuking, we help B2B buyers identify the correct phosphoric acid grade, concentration, packaging, and documentation for applications such as fertilizer production, food processing, metal treatment, water treatment, and industrial cleaning.

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The most important purchasing decision is usually concentration and grade rather than the CAS number alone. Commercial products are often offered at approximately 75% or 85% phosphoric acid concentration by weight, although the available range depends on the manufacturer and application. Buyers should confirm assay, impurities, appearance, packaging, and regulatory requirements before placing an order.

What Is CAS 7664-38-2?

CAS 7664-38-2 identifies phosphoric acid, also called orthophosphoric acid or phosphoric(V) acid. It is a phosphorus-containing acid that is miscible with water and provides hydrogen ions for acidification, pH adjustment, and chemical reactions. In commercial supply, phosphoric acid is generally handled as an aqueous solution rather than as an isolated pure substance.

Phosphoric acid is not the same as phosphorous acid, which has a different chemical composition and CAS number. This distinction matters because the two materials have different oxidation states, performance characteristics, and application profiles. When I prepare a quotation, I recommend that customers specify the CAS number, concentration, grade, and intended use together to reduce the risk of material substitution.

Basic Chemical Identity

Item Typical information Why it matters to buyers
CAS number 7664-38-2 Confirms the chemical identity
Chemical name Phosphoric acid Supports purchasing and regulatory review
Molecular formula H3PO4 Defines the chemical composition
Relative molecular mass Approximately 97.99 g/mol Useful for formulation and stoichiometric calculations
Common commercial concentrations Approximately 75% and 85% by weight Influences handling, dilution, freight, and process performance

Core Functions of Phosphoric Acid

Phosphoric acid is primarily used as an acidifying, buffering, and phosphorus-providing material. In a formulation, it can lower pH and help maintain a targeted acidity range when used with other ingredients. In chemical manufacturing, it can react with bases, metal oxides, and selected minerals to produce phosphate salts and related compounds.

Its function depends strongly on concentration, temperature, contact time, and the surrounding formulation. A food-grade product may be appropriate for an approved food application, while a technical or industrial grade may be more suitable for metal treatment or process cleaning. I therefore advise buyers to evaluate the complete specification rather than selecting solely by price per metric ton.

Acidification and pH Control

Phosphoric acid can be used to reduce pH in controlled industrial and food-processing systems. The required dosage depends on starting pH, alkalinity, equipment materials, and the target process condition. A controlled dosing trial is preferable to assuming that one concentration will perform equally well in every system.

Phosphate Production

Phosphoric acid is an important feedstock for producing phosphate salts and fertilizer-related materials. It may be neutralized with ammonia, potassium compounds, calcium compounds, or other suitable bases to form phosphate products. The required purity depends on whether the final product is intended for agriculture, food, water treatment, or a specialized industrial process.

Surface Treatment and Cleaning

In metal-related applications, phosphoric acid can participate in surface cleaning and phosphate conversion processes. It helps remove or loosen certain oxide layers and may support the preparation of metal surfaces before subsequent treatment. Performance depends on the metal substrate, contamination level, bath composition, temperature, and contact time, so process validation remains necessary.

Common Applications of CAS 7664-38-2

Fertilizer and Agricultural Chemicals

One of the major uses of phosphoric acid is the manufacture of phosphate fertilizers and intermediate agricultural chemicals. It supplies phosphorus in a form that can be processed into phosphate compounds used in fertilizer production. Buyers in this sector commonly focus on concentration, phosphate content, impurity profile, supply continuity, and compatibility with downstream equipment.

Food and Beverage Processing

Where permitted by local regulations and the product specification, food-grade phosphoric acid may be used as an acidulant, acidity regulator, or processing ingredient. The correct grade must meet the applicable food standards for the target market and application. A technical-grade product should not be treated as interchangeable with food-grade material simply because both products carry CAS 7664-38-2.

Water Treatment and Industrial Formulation

Phosphoric acid may be used in selected water-treatment, scale-control, and industrial formulation processes. Its suitability depends on the water chemistry, dosage, equipment, and desired phosphate contribution. Buyers should assess whether residual phosphate, corrosion behavior, or discharge requirements create additional process constraints.

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Metal Treatment and Industrial Cleaning

Phosphoric acid is used in some rust-removal, metal preparation, and cleaning formulations. It can react with certain mineral deposits and metal oxides, but it is not universally suitable for every substrate. Aluminum, galvanized surfaces, stainless steel, and other metals may respond differently, so a compatibility test should be completed before full-scale use.

Types and Material Options

The most practical way to distinguish phosphoric acid products is by grade and concentration. Typical categories include food grade, technical grade, industrial grade, and fertilizer-related grades, but the exact naming convention can vary between suppliers and markets. Each category should be supported by a current specification sheet and, where required, a certificate of analysis for the supplied batch.

  • Food grade: Intended for applications subject to food regulations and purity requirements.
  • Technical or industrial grade: Used for cleaning, metal treatment, chemical processing, and other non-food applications.
  • Fertilizer or process grade: Selected for phosphate production and agricultural chemical manufacturing based on process requirements.
  • Different concentrations: Higher concentration can reduce water shipped but may require more careful handling, dilution, and storage controls.

Color and appearance can also be relevant. Many commercial grades are clear and colorless, while some process-derived grades may have different appearance limits because of trace impurities. I recommend that customers define an acceptable appearance range and impurity profile in the purchase specification instead of relying on a general product name.

Key Specifications B2B Buyers Should Check

A suitable phosphoric acid specification normally includes assay or concentration, appearance, density where applicable, and limits for relevant impurities. Depending on the end use, buyers may also need to review chloride, sulfate, iron, heavy metals, arsenic, fluoride, and other parameters. Not every parameter is necessary for every application, so the specification should be linked to the final product and process risk.

Packaging and logistics are also part of technical selection. Phosphoric acid is corrosive and should be shipped in compatible containers, with handling instructions and safety documentation appropriate to the product. Common industrial supply formats may include drums, intermediate bulk containers, or bulk transportation, but the practical option depends on order volume, local regulations, storage capacity, and unloading equipment.

How to Select the Right Phosphoric Acid Supplier

Confirm the Product Before Comparing Prices

Before comparing offers, I suggest confirming five points: CAS number, concentration, grade, intended application, and destination market. Two quotations can appear similar while covering different purity levels, packaging, or documentation. A low unit price may not represent a lower total cost if the product requires additional dilution, special freight, or requalification.

Review Documentation and Supply Capability

Ask the supplier for a product specification, safety data sheet, packing details, and a batch certificate when required. The documents should clearly identify the product and match the commercial offer. Buyers should also confirm minimum order quantity, production or preparation lead time, available packing, export experience, and the supplier’s ability to maintain consistent specifications across repeat orders.

Assess Handling and Compatibility

Phosphoric acid requires controlled handling because concentrated acid can cause chemical burns and may corrode incompatible materials. Storage and transfer systems should be reviewed by qualified site personnel, including container compatibility, ventilation, spill response, personal protective equipment, and emergency procedures. The supplier can provide product information, but the buyer remains responsible for safe use within its own facility.

How Yuking Supports B2B Buyers

At Yuking, we support customers by clarifying the relationship between CAS 7664-38-2, phosphoric acid grade, concentration, and application. We can organize commercial discussions around the required specification rather than offering a generic chemical name. This approach helps importers, distributors, formulators, and manufacturers compare products on a more consistent basis.

Our support can include specification confirmation, packaging coordination, document preparation, export communication, and order planning, subject to the product and destination requirements. For repeat buyers, it is useful to establish an agreed specification and approval process before regular shipments begin. We also encourage customers to provide their target concentration, application, annual demand, packaging preference, and destination country when requesting a quotation.

Key Takeaways for Purchasing CAS 7664-38-2

  • CAS 7664-38-2 is phosphoric acid, with the formula H3PO4.
  • Its relative molecular mass is approximately 97.99 g/mol.
  • Commercial products are commonly supplied in concentrations such as 75% or 85% by weight, depending on availability and grade.
  • Applications include fertilizer production, food processing, metal treatment, industrial cleaning, water treatment, and chemical manufacturing.
  • Grade, impurity limits, packaging, documentation, and regulatory suitability must be confirmed before purchase.

Conclusion: What Is CAS 7664-38-2?

CAS 7664-38-2 is the registry number for phosphoric acid, a versatile inorganic acid used across agricultural, food, water-treatment, metal-treatment, and chemical-processing industries. The correct product is determined not only by its CAS number, but also by concentration, grade, impurity limits, packaging, and intended use. For reliable sourcing, buyers should begin with a complete technical requirement and then compare suppliers on documentation, consistency, logistics, and service.

If you are evaluating phosphoric acid for a new formulation, production line, or import program, send Yuking your required concentration, grade, application, packaging, estimated quantity, and destination. We can help you review the specification and prepare a practical B2B supply proposal for CAS 7664-38-2.

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