What Is CAS 7664-38-2? Uses, Grades, and B2B Buying Basics

Author: Monica

Aug. 11, 2026

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What Is CAS 7664-38-2? Uses, Grades, and B2B Buying Basics

CAS 7664-38-2 identifies phosphoric acid, an inorganic acid also called orthophosphoric acid. Its chemical formula is H3PO4, and its molecular weight is approximately 97.99 g/mol. In B2B trade, phosphoric acid is commonly supplied as an aqueous solution, often in concentrations such as 75% or 85% by weight, although the available concentration, grade, packaging, and specification depend on the producer and application. I recommend confirming the exact concentration, impurity limits, documentation, and transport requirements before placing an order.

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Phosphoric acid is used in fertilizer production, food and beverage processing, metal surface treatment, water-treatment formulations, industrial cleaners, and selected pharmaceutical or laboratory applications. It is corrosive in concentrated form, so storage, handling, personal protective equipment, and packaging must be reviewed against the supplier’s Safety Data Sheet (SDS). The U.S. National Library of Medicine lists phosphoric acid under PubChem Compound CID 1004 and provides core chemical and hazard information for this substance.

Key Takeaways for B2B Buyers

  • CAS 7664-38-2 is phosphoric acid, with the formula H3PO4.
  • Its molecular weight is approximately 97.99 g/mol.
  • Commercial products are normally sold as solutions with a defined weight percentage, rather than as a single universal grade.
  • Common application areas include fertilizers, food acidification, metal treatment, cleaning, and industrial processing.
  • Grade selection should consider concentration, purity, food or technical compliance, packaging, logistics, and intended use.
  • I encourage buyers to request a current specification sheet, SDS, Certificate of Analysis (CoA), sample, and quotation before approving a source.

What Is CAS 7664-38-2?

Chemical Identity

CAS 7664-38-2 is the Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number assigned to phosphoric acid. The substance is an oxoacid of phosphorus and is commonly represented by the formula H3PO4. PubChem reports a molecular weight of approximately 97.99 g/mol, while the pure compound is associated with a melting point near 42°C; commercial aqueous solutions behave differently because their physical properties depend on concentration.

Phosphoric acid should not be confused with phosphorous acid, which has a different chemical identity and CAS number. This distinction is important when preparing purchase orders, import documents, product labels, and regulatory files. I recommend using the CAS number together with the chemical name, concentration, grade, and specification to reduce the risk of a substitution or documentation mismatch.

Physical Form and Concentration

Phosphoric acid may be supplied as a clear liquid solution or, at sufficiently high purity and under suitable temperature conditions, as a solid or crystalline material. In industrial commerce, aqueous solutions are more common because they are easier to dose and handle in many production processes. The appearance, density, viscosity, crystallization behavior, and acidity can change significantly with concentration and temperature.

A nominal concentration such as 75% or 85% does not by itself define product quality. Two products with the same acid concentration may differ in limits for chloride, sulfate, iron, heavy metals, fluorides, organic impurities, or other parameters. For this reason, I treat the concentration as one specification item rather than the complete product description.

Source: The U.S. National Library of Medicine, PubChem, provides chemical identity and physical-property information for phosphoric acid: PubChem Compound CID 1004.

Core Functions and Industrial Uses

Fertilizer and Phosphate Production

One of the largest industrial uses of phosphoric acid is the production of phosphate fertilizers and phosphate-based intermediates. It supplies phosphorus and reacts with ammonia or other raw materials to produce products such as ammonium phosphate fertilizers. In this sector, buyers generally focus on concentration, phosphorus content, impurities, consistency between shipments, and reliable bulk logistics.

Fertilizer producers may accept a different impurity profile from food or pharmaceutical manufacturers, but they still need predictable chemical performance. I recommend defining the acceptable ranges for free acidity, suspended solids, iron, sulfate, chloride, and other relevant contaminants according to the downstream process. The correct specification should be based on process tolerance rather than on a generic “industrial grade” label.

Food and Beverage Processing

Phosphoric acid is used as an acidity regulator, acidulant, and processing ingredient in selected food and beverage applications. In the United States, phosphoric acid is listed in the Code of Federal Regulations under 21 CFR 182.1073 as a substance that is generally recognized as safe when used in accordance with good manufacturing practice. Regulatory status can vary by country, product category, and use level, so buyers should confirm the requirements in the destination market.

Food-grade purchasing typically requires tighter controls on specified impurities, traceability, packaging hygiene, and documentation than many general industrial applications. A buyer may need a food-grade specification, CoA for each batch, allergen or contaminant statements where applicable, and evidence that the material is suitable for the intended use. I do not recommend using a technical-grade product in a food application without documented regulatory and quality approval.

Metal Treatment and Surface Preparation

Phosphoric acid can react with metal surfaces and is used in certain rust-conversion, descaling, phosphating, and surface-preparation formulations. Its performance depends on concentration, contact time, temperature, substrate composition, and the presence of formulation additives. A product that performs well on carbon steel may not be appropriate for aluminum, galvanized steel, stainless steel, or a mixed-metal assembly.

For metal-treatment customers, I suggest testing the acid under the actual process conditions before approving a large-volume purchase. Important evaluation points include surface appearance, coating adhesion, residue, corrosion behavior, bath stability, and wastewater impact. The supplier should also provide handling guidance because concentrated phosphoric acid can cause severe eye and skin damage.

Cleaning, Water Treatment, and Formulation

Phosphoric acid is used in selected industrial cleaners, descaling products, pH-adjustment systems, and water-treatment formulations. It can help dissolve mineral deposits and adjust acidity, but its suitability depends on the equipment material, water chemistry, and discharge requirements. Buyers should evaluate both cleaning performance and the consequences of phosphate release or neutralization in their local treatment system.

In formulated products, phosphoric acid may be combined with surfactants, corrosion inhibitors, chelating agents, or other acids. Compatibility must be verified before blending, especially when the formulation includes reactive metals, oxidizers, strong bases, or temperature-sensitive components. I recommend a controlled laboratory test followed by a small production trial rather than relying only on a theoretical formulation calculation.

Source: The U.S. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations identifies phosphoric acid in 21 CFR 182.1073 for food-related use under specified conditions: eCFR 21 CFR 182.1073.

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Phosphoric Acid Grades and Material Options

Technical or Industrial Grade

Technical-grade phosphoric acid is generally selected for industrial processes where the required impurity limits are compatible with the end use. Typical applications may include fertilizer intermediates, metal treatment, industrial cleaning, and chemical manufacturing. The exact definition of “technical grade” is not universal, so I advise buyers to review the numerical specification instead of relying on the grade name alone.

Food Grade

Food-grade phosphoric acid is intended for approved food or beverage uses when it meets the applicable regulatory and quality requirements. Buyers should verify the relevant food regulations, additive identity, purity limits, manufacturing controls, and documentation for the market where the final product will be sold. A food-grade designation should be supported by current documentation from the supplier rather than treated as an unsupported marketing claim.

High-Purity, Laboratory, or Special Grades

Laboratory, electronic, pharmaceutical, or other special-purpose grades may require tighter limits for metals, particles, halides, sulfate, and organic impurities. These products may also require smaller packaging, batch traceability, and specialized handling. The appropriate grade depends on the analytical method or production process, so the buyer should provide the supplier with the required specification and intended use.

Grade or Option Typical Buyer Priority Questions to Confirm
Technical or industrial Process performance and cost control What impurity limits and concentration ranges are guaranteed?
Food grade Regulatory suitability and traceability Is the product supported for the intended country and food use?
High-purity or laboratory Low contamination and analytical consistency Which trace-element, particle, and batch-control limits apply?
Custom concentration Reduced dilution or improved dosing Can the supplier maintain the requested concentration during storage and transport?

Key Specifications to Review

A complete phosphoric acid specification should normally identify the chemical name, CAS number, concentration, appearance, color, density or specific gravity where relevant, and impurity limits. Depending on the application, the buyer may also need limits for iron, chloride, sulfate, fluorides, heavy metals, arsenic, lead, insoluble matter, and other contaminants. The required parameters should be agreed before quotation because a higher-purity specification can affect manufacturing, packaging, and price.

Concentration is commonly expressed as a percentage by weight, such as 75% or 85% H3PO4. Buyers should also clarify whether the quoted concentration is a guaranteed range, a typical value, or a value measured by a particular analytical method. For shipment acceptance, I recommend defining the sampling procedure, test method, acceptable tolerance, and CoA format in the purchase agreement.

Packaging may include plastic drums, intermediate bulk containers, or bulk tank delivery, subject to supplier capability and transport regulations. A 25 kg, 35 kg, 250 kg, or 1,000 kg packaging reference should never be assumed without confirmation because package size affects handling equipment, freight cost, and storage planning. The supplier’s SDS should be reviewed for hazard classification, compatible materials, emergency measures, and applicable transport information.

Source: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration provides hazard communication resources and chemical safety requirements that are relevant when evaluating SDS information and workplace handling controls: OSHA Hazard Communication.

How B2B Buyers Should Select a Supplier

Match the Grade to the End Use

I first recommend defining the application before comparing suppliers. A fertilizer producer, beverage manufacturer, metal-treatment formulator, and laboratory buyer may all request CAS 7664-38-2, but their acceptable impurity limits and documentation needs can be very different. The most economical offer is not necessarily the lowest price per metric ton if it creates extra filtration, dilution, rejection, or compliance work.

Check Quality Documentation

Ask for a current product specification, SDS, sample CoA, production or batch identification method, and storage guidance. For regulated applications, request the additional declarations required by the destination market and the intended use. I recommend comparing the supplier’s documents with your internal quality checklist before requesting a final commercial offer.

Evaluate Logistics and Storage

Phosphoric acid is corrosive, and the storage system must be compatible with the product concentration and operating temperature. Confirm the proposed packaging material, pallet configuration, container condition, shelf-life guidance, loading method, and expected transit time. Buyers should also check whether the product may crystallize or require temperature management under their local climate and storage conditions.

Clarify Commercial Terms

Important commercial variables include minimum order quantity, available packaging, production lead time, sample policy, payment terms, Incoterms, port of loading, and freight validity. These variables can change the delivered cost more than the nominal product price. I recommend requesting a quotation that separates product price, packaging, documentation, inland transport, ocean freight, insurance, and any applicable destination charges.

How Yuking Can Support a CAS 7664-38-2 Inquiry

At Yuking, I approach phosphoric acid inquiries by first confirming the buyer’s intended application, required concentration, grade, annual or monthly demand, packaging preference, and destination. This information helps us determine whether the requested specification is suitable for the process and whether additional documentation should be included. We can then prepare a product and commercial discussion based on the buyer’s actual requirements rather than a general product name.

For qualified inquiries, I recommend exchanging the technical specification and SDS before discussing shipment details. We can review the requested impurity limits, CoA requirements, packaging format, sample needs, and delivery schedule as part of the sourcing process. Availability, MOQ, lead time, and export documentation should be confirmed for each order because they depend on the selected grade, volume, destination, and current logistics conditions.

Conclusion: What Should You Do Before Buying CAS 7664-38-2?

CAS 7664-38-2 is phosphoric acid, a widely used inorganic acid supplied in different concentrations and grades for fertilizer, food, metal-treatment, cleaning, water-treatment, and chemical-processing applications. The correct buying decision depends on more than the CAS number: concentration, purity, regulatory suitability, packaging, storage, documentation, and logistics must all match the intended use. I recommend avoiding generic requests such as “phosphoric acid available” when a controlled B2B purchase is required.

As a practical next step, prepare a purchase specification that includes the intended application, required concentration, grade, impurity limits, package size, estimated quantity, destination, and required documents. Send that information to Yuking for a quotation and technical review, and request a current SDS, specification sheet, and representative CoA before final approval. This process can help reduce substitution risk, improve shipment planning, and create a clearer basis for supplier comparison.

Request a CAS 7664-38-2 quotation from Yuking by sharing your target grade, concentration, quantity, packaging, destination, and application requirements. We will review the inquiry and respond with the available supply option and relevant purchasing information.

The company is the world’s best cas 7664-38-2 supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

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