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Author Topic: Phosphoric acid  (Read 2940 times)

Offline narcout

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Phosphoric acid
« on: September 25, 2011, 11:28:21 am »
I recently started adjusted the pH of my sparge water with 10% phosphoric acid. 

How powerful is this stuff?  I've been pretty careful with it, but will I get a nasty burn if I accidentally spill some on my hand?
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narvin

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Re: Phosphoric acid
« Reply #1 on: September 25, 2011, 11:51:20 am »
Keep it out of your eyes and you'll be fine.  If you get some on your hand, wash it off, but it shouldn't cause a burn since it is diluted 10:1.

Offline nateo

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Re: Phosphoric acid
« Reply #2 on: September 25, 2011, 04:35:42 pm »
Vinegar is like 5% acidity. I think acetic acid isn't as strong as phosphoric (something about being polyprotic?). But basically, 10% phosphoric about twice as dangerous as vinegar, which is to say, not that dangerous. I always wear goggles when handling acids and bases, and I always wear gloves when handling strong bases. I got some strong solvent in my eyes once and I was blind for a couple days, so I'm pretty cautious now when it comes to my eyes.
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Offline Tristan

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Re: Phosphoric acid
« Reply #3 on: September 29, 2011, 03:12:35 pm »
I recently started adjusted the pH of my sparge water with 10% phosphoric acid. 

How powerful is this stuff? 

How powerful?  10%   :D

I've gotten 75% on my hands and it started irritating them instantly, but I didn't get a burn.  I would stay on the safe side and use caution/ wear gloves if you have them.
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Offline dimik

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Re: Phosphoric acid
« Reply #4 on: October 01, 2011, 11:14:18 pm »
Vinegar is like 5% acidity. I think acetic acid isn't as strong as phosphoric (something about being polyprotic?). But basically, 10% phosphoric about twice as dangerous as vinegar, which is to say, not that dangerous. I always wear goggles when handling acids and bases, and I always wear gloves when handling strong bases. I got some strong solvent in my eyes once and I was blind for a couple days, so I'm pretty cautious now when it comes to my eyes.

I would disagree. Phosphoric acid is a much stronger acid than acetic. That said, if you get some on your hands nothing will happen if you wash your hands within a minute or so. Don't believe the movies where they show acid eating away concrete and stuff within seconds. There are strong acids as well as super-acids, but they're not something you'll ever get your hands on in homebrewing. I've had concentrated sulfuric acid spill on my hand and it took about a minute to start burning my skin. And even that was slow. Feels kinda like a burn from putting pure mustard paste on your skin... then your skin flakes off. Anyway, you're in no danger. Just don't spill it into your eyes and wash your hands.
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Offline punatic

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Re: Phosphoric acid
« Reply #5 on: October 02, 2011, 02:19:49 am »
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Offline dimik

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Re: Phosphoric acid
« Reply #6 on: October 02, 2011, 09:54:04 am »
Yep, pretty much a standard one for any corrosive
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