Fluoride compounds: Overview
Description
Hydrogen fluoride is used to make aluminum, chloroflurocarbons (CFCs), aluminum fluoride, sodium fluoride and other fluoride salts. It is used in the petroleum, chemical, and plastics industries. It is used to separate uranium isotopes. It is used to clean metals, bricks, or remove sand from metal castings. It is used to etch glass and enamel, polish glass and galvanize iron. It is used in brewing and to cloud light bulbs.
Substance details
Substance name: Fluoride compounds
CASR number: Not applicable
Molecular formula: Fluoride: F-
Hydrofluoric acid: HF
Sodium Fluoride: NaF
Synonyms: Fluoride: CASR # 16984-48-8;
Hydrogen Fluoride (Hydrofluoric Acid): CASR # 7664-39-3;
Sodium Fluoride: CASR # 7681-49-4
Physical properties
Melting Point: Hydrogen Fluoride -83.55°C
Sodium Fluoride: 993°C
Boiling Point: Hydrogen Fluoride: 19.5°C
Sodium Fluoride: 1700°C
Vapour Density: Hydrogen Fluoride: 0.15
Sodium Fluoride: – (solid)
Specific Gravity: Hydrogen Fluoride: 0.993
Sodium Fluoride: 2.558
Chemical properties
Fluoride compounds are all related by containing fluorine. Fluorine is a naturally occurring element in the earth. It is usually found in the form of the mineral flourspar, CaF2. Fluorine is a yellow-green gas with a strong, sharp odour (like pool chlorine). It combines with hydrogen to make hydrogen fluoride, a colourless gas with a strong irritating odour. Hydrogen fluoride dissolves in water to make hydrofluoric acid. Hydrogen fluoride will corrode most substances except lead, wax, polyethylene, and platinum. Hydrogen fluoride is used to manufacture other fluorine-based chemicals including Sodium fluoride, which is a white powder, although sometimes it is dyed blue for identification purposes.
Further information
The National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) holds data for all sources of fluoride compounds emissions in Australia.
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