Properties of phosphoric acid

Phosphorus is a mineral found widely in nature and plays an important role in how our bodies get energy. It is a major component of bones and teeth.

Phosphoric acid (H3PO4) is the second regulator that gives a specific taste to carbonated-type beverages. Sparkling beverages add only very small amounts of phosphorus to the diet through phosphoric acid, an ingredient that helps give cola drinks their tangy taste.

Phosphoric acid is a colorless, odorless phosphorus-containing inorganic acid. Phosphoric acid is a sequestering agent which binds many divalent cations, including Fe++, Cu++, Ca++, and Mg++.

Phosphoric acid is a corrosive acid that can form three different classes of salts, namely primary phosphates, dibasic phosphates and tribasic phosphates.

Phosphoric acid is soluble in water. It is incompatible with strong caustics and it is corrosive to ferrous metals and alloys. It readily reacts with metals to form flammable hydrogen gas.

Phosphoric acid can be manufactured using either a thermal or a wet process. However, the majority of phosphoric acid is produced using the wet-process method. Wet-process phosphoric acid is used for fertilizer production. Thermal process phosphoric acid is commonly used in the manufacture of high-grade chemicals, which require a much higher purity.
Properties of phosphoric acid